I have a problem with people not washing their hands and I need your help?

Question

I am a resident assistant at a University and I noticed many girls on my floor do not wash their hands, even when we had a nasty outbreak of a gastrointestinal illness. Does anyone know where i could find a picture of what your hands look like when you leave the bathroom without washing? Like a picture that would simulate the large amount of germs on your hands?

Also, how about some ways to encourage these girls to wash their hands. Im grossed out.

Answer 1

http://faculty.plattsburgh.edu/jose.deondarza/Bio406/Handouts/15hands.jpg
An image of bacteria growing on hands, this is what your colleagues could get from eating after the toilet and not handwashing, they are, afterall, eating their own bowel germs :(
::
http://www.health.state.mn.us/handhygiene/images/handsbacteria.jpg

When to wash your hands, a handy hint to put up in the toilets at work, on the back of the toilet walls, and in the Staff Eating areas:

http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.health.state.mn.us/handhygiene/images/handsbacteria.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.health.state.mn.us/handhygiene/toolkit/whywash/handsbacteria.html&h=395&w=300&sz=56&hl=en&start=21&tbnid=lNdcbG21djbROM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=94&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbacteria%2Bon%2Bhands%26start%3D20%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

I am a nurse, it never ceases to amaze me that people continue to not wash their hands after the toilet, and even just before eating!!!
Some of these images are on the walls at my work. We always use DeBug lotion or Microshield to protect the patients and of course, ourselves

Answer 2

The dangers of not washing your hands
Despite the proven health benefits of hand washing, many people don't practice this habit as often as they should — even after using the bathroom. Throughout the day you accumulate germs on your hands from a variety of sources, such as direct contact with people, contaminated surfaces, foods, even animals and animal waste. If you don't wash your hands frequently enough, you can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or mouth. And you can spread these germs to others by touching them or by touching surfaces that they also touch, such as doorknobs.

Infectious diseases commonly spread through hand-to-hand contact include the common cold, flu and several gastrointestinal disorders, such as infectious diarrhea. While most people will get over a cold, the flu is much more serious. Some people with the flu, particularly older adults and people with chronic medical problems, can develop pneumonia. The combination of the flu and pneumonia, in fact, is the seventh leading cause of death among Americans.

Inadequate hand hygiene also contributes to food-related illnesses, such as salmonella and E. coli infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as 76 million Americans contract a food-borne illness each year. Of these, about 5,000 die as a result of their illness. Others experience the annoying symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Answer 3

Have you thought about getting large bottles of hand sanitizer and leaving them throughout the dorm? Or having dispensers placed in each of the restrooms. I find that people won't wash their hands, but they will use the hand sanitizer. It's an idea.

About the photo of unwashed hands, maybe contact your local health department and see if they can help you with some posters or something that will prompt people to wash or at least use a hand sanitizer.

Answer 4

I am in the medical field and I have noticed the same thing with my co-workers. no matter how many in-services we have nothing ever changes. I just keep on washing my hands and using hand sanitizer. It's funny how people make fun of you about germs. They wouldn't be laughing if they have seen the things we have seen. People can be very ignorant.

Answer 5

I saw a news report that said that not washing your hands after using the restroom isn't any worse than not washing your hands after using a public phone or an ATM machine, etc.

Just ignore it.

Answer 6

find something on the Internet about germs and then give a presentation about the diseases from not washing hands

Answer 7

search for related article online and send e-mail. You can also place posters in your bathrooms and bulletin board about washing hands.

Answer 8

I doubt they would even pay attention or care you can't make people do what they don't want to some people are just lazy.

Answer 9

i'm glad the boys are so clean.

Answer 10

You are a GERMAPHOBE! Mwahahahah.