About Germs

Not all dangers are visible

Everyday we all touch surfaces that harbour germs and bacteria. Doors, petrol pumps, keyboards, the list is endless. Germs are everywhere and their impact on the spread of illness should not be ignored.

Good hand hygiene is essential.

Hands may look clean but germs, which are not visible to the human eye, are always present.

80% of communicable diseases are transferred by touch.

Hand hygiene is the most important measure to avoid the transmission of harmful germs.

What could be on your hands?

Despite the generally held belief that germs are spread through sneezing and coughing, the majority of transmission comes from hand-to-hand contact.

Healthcare specialists consider good hand hygiene as the single most effective way to prevent the transmission of disease.

Some of the most common pathogens which can be spread by poor hand hygiene are shown below.

Pseudomonas

(can infect wounds)

Staphylococcus

(causes boils)

Haemophilius

(can cause pink eye)

E.Coli

(causes food poisoning & diarrhoea)

Streptococci

(gives sore throat)

Hepatitis A

(causes jaundice and diarrhoea)

Want to learn more?

The latest advice from the World Health Organization is to regularly and thoroughly clean your hands to prevent the spread of viruses, germs and bacteria. We have gathered below some useful links and resources that will help you protect yourself and those around you.

External Link