Everyday Hygiene Practices Reduces Risk of Infections

A recent position paper published in the American Journal of Infection Control online suggests improved everyday hygiene practices reduces the risk of common infections by up to 50%, reducing the need for antibiotics by up to 30%. 

Hygiene practices such as hand washing are considered the first line of defense against reducing the spread of common infections. For this reason, public health experts responsible for the position paper are asking for everyday hygiene to become part of strategic plans to reduce deaths from antibiotic resistance globally each year. 

Led by the Global Hygiene Council (GHC), the paper examined hygiene in the home and everyday life settings to reduce antibiotic prescribing and its impact on antibiotic resistance. According to the paper, one intervention study demonstrated a 30% reduction of antibiotic prescriptions for common respiratory infections in a group who used hand sanitizers when compared to a control group.

 The GHC has published a manifesto calling upon national and international policymakers, health agencies and healthcare professionals to further recognize the importance of hygiene in the home and everyday life settings.