Most Common Diseases Caused by Dirty Hands
Introduction
Hands come into contact with various surfaces, objects, and people throughout the day. Without proper hygiene, they can become a major source of disease transmission, carrying bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Main Diseases
- Intestinal infections
- Dysentery, Salmonellosis, Escherichia coli infections
Transmitted through the fecal-oral route, usually due to not washing hands after using the restroom or handling contaminated food.
Symptoms: Diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, sometimes blood in stool.
- Viral gastroenteritis
- Rotavirus, Norovirus, Hepatitis A
Common in daycare centers, hospitals, and crowded places. Spread through contaminated hands touching food or mouth.
- Respiratory infections
- Flu, Respiratory viruses, COVID-19
Spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and the virus settles on surfaces. Others touch the surface, then their face, allowing transmission.
- Eye infections (Conjunctivitis)
Touching eyes with unclean hands can lead to bacterial or viral conjunctivitis.
- Parasitic infections
- Ascariasis, Enterobiasis (Pinworm)
Spread via contact with soil, food, or contaminated surfaces. Eggs are swallowed and develop in the intestines.
Prevention Tips
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use alcohol-based sanitizers when soap is unavailable.
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes with unclean hands.
- Teach children proper handwashing techniques.
