“Hand washing is one of the most important means of preventing the spread of infection” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Photo by Dani Toth)

You touch a doorknob then touch your nose. A few days later you have chills, a bad cough and sneezing. Frequent hand washing can help you stop infecting yourself with your hands.

This is most important for children. By teaching them to do a good job of washing their hands you can help them avoid colds and flu.

Hand washing poster