People are being encouraged to wash their hands in a bid to stop microscopic amounts of poo on them from spreading illnesses, the HSE has warned.
Dr Nuala O’Connor says people are getting sick after being in contact with those who have not cleaned their hands after using the toilet.
She is giving the advice ahead of the World Health Organisation’s Hand Hygiene Day this Sunday, which encourages people to protect their health by thoroughly washing their hands.
Dr O’Connor said: “Washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from illnesses such as vomiting, diarrhoea, coughs, colds, sore throat, flu, in fact virtually all infections.
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“The other way we pick up infections is if someone coughs within three feet of us and we inhale their germs.
“No-one would want to touch or eat poo but millions of us across the world do that every day by not washing our hands properly.
“Many infectious diseases are spread through microscopic amounts of faecal matter (poo).”
While HSE National Lead for Antibiotic Resistance, Professor Martin Cormican said it is vital that people who are in contact with sick people in particular have good hand hygiene.
He said: “Proper hand hygiene is such a critical issue for all of us both at home and in our health services.
“We are delighted that we are launching a new hand hygiene awareness programme (Resist) to mark World Hand Hygiene Day.
“The Resist programme is aimed at all healthcare workers and everyone who comes to the hospital, our patients and visitors.
“Our first three sites for the new programme include Cavan General Hospital, Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe and University Hospital Limerick.”
He added: “Some infections found in hospitals can be very serious for our patients.
We can all help reduce the spread of these infections if our healthcare workers, patients and visitors all make sure that their hands are clean.
“We want our staff to take part in the new hand hygiene training and join the Superbug Resistance to fight infection.
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“Our patients and visitors also play a big part in reducing the spread of infection and following our advice on hand cleaning.”
People visiting loved ones at hospital are being advised to use the alcohol gel offered, not to share personal items with other patients including your phone, earphones and so on.
Other advice being offered is for members of the public to keep away from other patients’ beds.
The HSE is also suggesting that you remind hospital staff to clean their hands and to tell them if you see anything that is not clean.
