Hand Washing Directory
Washing your hands -- you know you're supposed to do it, but do you know why? Hand washing helps prevent diseases such as colds, flu, and other infections including food poisoning. You should wash your hands after doing things like using the bathroom, after sneezing or coughing into your hand, handling raw foods, and more. Follow the links below to find WebMD's comprehensive coverage about how hand washing benefits you and those around you.
Medical Reference
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Control Contagious Infections in Children
Some childhood illnesses can readily spread. Learn what you can do to try to keep that from happening.
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How to Keep Your Immune System Healthy
Get tips on how to help keep your immune system healthy, so your body is better prepared to defend itself against illness.
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Prevent Colds With Hand Washing
Discover how frequent hand washing can be the most effective means for cold prevention.
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Follow These Rules So You Don’t Spread the Flu
The flu is easy to spread. Here's how to avoid getting and giving it.
Features
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Stay Healthy: 6 Tips for Avoiding Cold and Flu
Avoid getting sick with tips from people whose jobs put them around a lot of germs
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Teach Your Kids to Avoid Colds and the Flu
Kids spread germs like it’s their job. But with these habits and a little fun, they can help themselves stay well.
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Tips for Preventing Kids' Colds and Flu
The top ways of keeping your kids from getting sick are washing hands and getting those flu shots.
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How Doctors Avoid Cold and Flu Germs
With cold and flu season in full swing, we wondered how top docs personally battle nasty bugs each winter. Here are their expert tips for keeping pains, aches, sniffles, and sneezes at bay.
Video
Slideshows & Images
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Wash Your Hands: The Dirtiest Places Kids Will Find
The dirtiest places your kids may play might be in your own house. See the biggest germs traps, both inside and away from the home.
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A Visual Guide to Enterovirus D68
Enterovirus D68 is usually mild, but children with asthma are among those who are more likely to have serious complications. Get the facts on what it is, what causes it, what the symptoms are, when to call a doctor, and how it's treated.
Quizzes
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How Much Do You Know About Spreading Germs?
Take this quiz to find out how much you know about spreading germs.
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The Truth About the Common Cold
The common cold can be uncommonly troublesome. WebMD tests your knowledge on this persistent health enemy by testing you on cold symptoms, cold germs, and cold remedies.
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Do You Fall For Old Flu Myths?
Do you believe a flu shot can cause the flu? That you throw up with the flu? Take this WebMD quiz to find out just how much you know about influenza.