the cdc has guidelines for hand hygiene which include

"CDC's Essential Hand Hygiene Guidelines: What You Need to Know"

By Robert DavisDecember 24, 2025

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has established comprehensive guidelines for hand hygiene, a crucial aspect of preventing the spread of infectious diseases. These guidelines are not just recommendations, but evidence-based practices that have been proven to reduce healthcare-associated infections and keep communities safe.

Understanding the Importance of Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene is the single most important measure for preventing the spread of infections. Our hands can pick up and spread germs to others, or from touching contaminated surfaces. The CDC's guidelines emphasize the importance of knowing when and how to perform hand hygiene to maximize its effectiveness.

When Should Hand Hygiene Be Performed?

Hand hygiene should be performed in several key situations:

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Before eating
After using the toilet
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching animals, animal feed, or animal waste
After handling garbage
When your hands are visibly dirty or greasy
After touching commonly used surfaces or objects
Before and after providing care to a patient or handling medical equipment

Hand Hygiene Techniques

The CDC recommends two main techniques for hand hygiene: handwashing with soap and water, and using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Handwashing with Soap and Water

Handwashing with soap and water is the preferred method when hands are visibly dirty or greasy. The CDC provides a step-by-step guide to ensure thorough handwashing:

The Five Essential Moments for Clinical Hand Hygiene

THESE ARE THE BEST KEPT SECRETS FOR GOOD FEMININE HYGIENE

Step	Action
1	Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2	Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3	Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song twice.
4	Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5	Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Using an Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are convenient and effective when soap and water are not available. However, they do not eliminate all types of germs and may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy. The CDC recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol:

Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to know how much to use).
Rub your hands together.
Cover all surfaces of your hands and fingers, rubbing them together so that they are moistened. Do this for about 20 seconds.
Continue rubbing until your hands are dry. This will take about 15 to 30 seconds.

Proper Drying of Hands

Proper drying of hands is an essential step in hand hygiene. The CDC recommends using a clean towel or air drying hands. Drying hands thoroughly helps to remove germs and prevents the growth of bacteria.

By following the CDC's guidelines for hand hygiene, we can all play a crucial role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases and keeping our communities healthy. So, let's make hand hygiene a habit and help stop the spread of germs!