Clean Hands Can Keep Holiday Bugs Away
12/16/2008
CLEBURNE, Texas — With the holidays approaching, many people will be gathering to
share gifts, but one present that no one wants this Christmas is to get sick at the family
party.
Some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on surfaces such as doorknobs, tables
and desks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the Department of
Health and Human Services.
Simple tips, such as covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze, cleaning your hands
often, and reminding children to practice healthy habits can have a big payoff, according to
the CDC.
Who doesn’t know the “Happy Birthday” song? Well, it turns out the tune
isn’t just for when birthday cakes are brought out to blow out candles. To ensure that
hands are cleaned thoroughly, the CDC recommends washing hands — with soap and warm
water — for 15 to 20 seconds, or about the same time it takes to sing the “Happy
Birthday” song twice.
“As with many things in life, simple precautions and solutions are often the most
effective and the same is true about protecting yourself from getting sick at the
holidays,” said Carol Olivier, R.N., infection prevention and control practitioner at
Harris Methodist Walls Regional Hospital, soon to be Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital
Cleburne. “Getting wrapped up in a fun party can be distracting, but making time to
thoroughly wash your hands can keep you in the holiday spirit.”
About Harris Methodist Walls Regional Hospital
Harris Methodist Walls Regional Hospital, soon to be Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital
Cleburne, is a 137-bed acute-care, full-service medical center serving Cleburne and the
Johnson County area since 1986. The hospital's services include surgery, women and
infant services, urology, orthopedics and ear, nose and throat care. Harris Methodist Walls
Regional Hospital has been recently recognized for the Texas Health Care Quality Improvement
award from TMF, the 2007 Premier/Carescience Select Practice National Quality Award and the
2007 Premier Award for Quality for Heart Failure. For more information, please call
1-888-4-HARRIS, or visit www.texashealth.org/hmwr.
About Texas Health Resources
Texas Health Resources is one of the largest faith-based, nonprofit health care delivery
systems in the United States and the largest in North Texas in terms of patients served.
THR’s system of 13 hospitals includes Harris Methodist Hospitals, Arlington Memorial
Hospital and Presbyterian Healthcare System, and a medical research organization. THR is a
corporate member or partner in six additional hospitals and surgery centers. For more
information about Texas Health Resources, visit www.texashealth.org.
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