Hand-Washing

Washing your hands may seem rather unsophisticated compared to today's medical advances, but it works. Washing your hands reduces the rate of bacterial and viral infections by 1/3 to 1/2, and gastrointestinal infections by 80%. "frequent hand-washing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of infectious disase," say the Centers for diseace Control.

You should wash your hands before, during, and after food preparation; before eating; after using the bathroom; and after touching pets, animals, or waste of any kind. To wash your hands: apply soap and rub your finger nails, rinse and dry you hands after.