Did you know that more than 80% of infections occur through common touch surfaces? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States has issued a study stating that “80% of infections occur through touching contaminated surfaces,” which lead to numerous diseases. In our world full of various health challenges, there is an invisible enemy lurking in places we often overlook. Have you ever thought about the amount of germs, viruses, and bacteria we encounter daily without seeing them? They don’t wait for us in the air to inhale or in our food to invade our bodies; instead, they reside on surfaces we touch daily without awareness of their danger, starting from touching doors we open or handles we use regularly. Diseases can be transmitted not only through contact with another person but also through contact with any surface carrying infection, especially surfaces touched frequently by many people. These surfaces are more susceptible to hosting viruses, germs, and bacteria, thereby causing the spread of infection from one person to another.
As you go about your day, have you ever wondered what could be accumulated on the surfaces you touch daily and how many times you’ve touched a door, handle, your mobile phone, or light switches? Certainly, numerous microbes, viruses, and bacteria that cause many diseases may be harbored on our hands, awaiting the opportune moment to transfer to us. Touching contaminated surfaces, which are most prone to contact, can lead to the transmission of many diseases, especially respiratory diseases, as well as the possibility of gastrointestinal infection through touching contaminated surfaces and then consuming food without washing hands.
Wherever you go, whether heading to your workplace, school, or your favorite restaurant for a delicious meal, you are exposed to touching contaminated surfaces that many people frequently touch throughout the day. While some may not pay attention to this danger, it poses a real threat to our health and safety, as common touch areas are havens for many germs and viruses causing diseases, such as public places including restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, public transportation, entertainment venues, sports clubs, and places where groups of people gather, such as festivals and meetings.
Effective strategies to combat the risk of infection transmission through common touch surfaces
Many of us overlook the power of simple measures to maintain our health and safety. However, what many do not realize is that the simple solution lies within their reach in their daily decisions regarding understanding the danger of touching surfaces around them. Individuals can adopt behaviors that protect their health and the health of the community as a whole. Some of the most important tips for preventing infection from touching contaminated surfaces include:
- Washing hands with soap and water continuously for at least 20 seconds, especially when touching common surfaces such as door handles, water taps, computers, and seating.
- Avoiding touching the face with hands. It is essential to keep hands away from touching the eyes, nose, or mouth before washing hands thoroughly to avoid germ transmission.
- Using hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available. The optimal solution is to use hand sanitizers containing an appropriate percentage of alcohol.
- Using personal tools as much as possible while minimizing sharing them with others.
- Trying to avoid people showing symptoms of infectious diseases and avoiding close contact with them.
- Avoiding direct contact with common touch surfaces; we can use protective paper tissues to open doors and handles instead of using hands directly.
Avoiding contaminated surfaces and their positive impact on individuals and society
In a world where microorganisms and risks abound, solutions and answers are equally present. Awareness comes as a key to achieving safety and health stability. When we are sufficiently aware of what is happening around us, we will possess enough power to fend off attacks from germs, viruses, and bacteria, building a shield of prevention to protect ourselves and maintain our safety and the safety of our community. Here are some positive effects of awareness of our surrounding environment:
- Reducing the spread of infectious diseases and preventing them: Understanding the danger of touching contaminated surfaces can help reduce the spread of infectious diseases such as colds, flu, skin diseases, and respiratory diseases.
- Maintaining physical and personal health and the health of individuals around us by raising awareness about regularly washing hands after touching contaminated surfaces.
- Promoting healthy behavior and changing daily behaviors of individuals, such as reducing touching the face with hands, by raising awareness of the danger of touching contaminated surfaces, leading to a reduction in the spread of germs and viruses.
- Reducing pressure on the healthcare system by reducing the spread of infectious diseases. Hence, medical resources are made available, reducing healthcare costs throughout the year.
