You shouldn't touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Why You Should Avoid Touching These Areas
According to Dr. Kunza, touching your eyes, nose, or mouth can spread viruses and bacteria. This is because these areas contain bodily fluids, and by touching them and then touching surfaces or shaking hands, you can easily transfer pathogens.
Understanding the Spread
- Bodily Fluids: The eyes, nose, and mouth are entry points for germs due to the presence of mucous membranes and other bodily fluids.
- Transmission: When you touch these areas and then touch other surfaces, you leave behind infectious agents. Others can then pick up those germs by touching the same surfaces and potentially get sick.
- Hand Contact: Shaking hands after touching your face is another way that viruses and bacteria can spread.
Practical Tips to Prevent the Spread of Germs
Here are some simple yet effective tips to avoid touching these areas:
- Awareness: Make a conscious effort to become aware of how often you touch your face during the day.
- Hand Hygiene: Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Alternatively, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable.
- Avoid Face Touching: Try to keep your hands away from your face as much as possible.
- Tissues: When you have to cough, sneeze, or wipe your face, use tissues rather than your hands.
- Surface Cleaning: Regularly disinfect commonly touched surfaces in your environment such as doorknobs, light switches, phones and keyboards.
Summary
It is important to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses. Practicing good hand hygiene and being aware of how often you touch your face can greatly reduce your risk of getting sick.
