Issue 41
October 2012
The E - Bulletin is a service provided from the in-house team of physicians (Specialists, GP’s & the CEDARS Training Center)
at the CEDARS – Jebel Ali International Hospital in order to raise awareness about health issues.
Hygiene Awareness
Hygiene refers to conditions and practices that
help to maintain health and prevent the spread of
diseases. It is a set of habits that would enable you
to be clean, neat, healthy and happy. Hygiene habits starts within oneself and to surroundings.
Why is hygiene important?
Good hygiene practice is the first step to good
health. People with good hygiene gets lower risk of
getting sick. It also prevents the spread of disease
to others.
What is personal hygiene?
One of the most effective ways we have to protect ourselves and others from illness is
good personal hygiene. Hand washing is the first and basic form of personal hygiene.
Apart from this, keeping the body clean through regular showers and using clean
clothes always are fundamental.
Be careful not to cough or sneeze to others. Cover your mouth with tissue or handkerchief. Cleaning things that you touch if you are unwell, putting items such as tissues
(that may have germs) into a bin, and using protection (like gloves or condoms) when
you might be at risk of catching an infection.
Personal hygiene, such as bathing, is very much dependent on the culture in which you
live. In some cultures, it is expected that you will wash your body at least every day and
use deodorants to stop body smells. Other cultures have different expectations. However, it is recommended to take shower at least twice a day.
FACTS| There’s NO “five-second rule” when it comes to dropping food on the ground. Bacteria need no time at all to contaminate
food. | Touching a grab rail on the underground system brings you into contact with 5000 hands, many of which are unwashed!|
There are more germs on a computer keyboard than there are on your toilet.| The human body is home to some 1,000 species of
bacteria. There are more germs on your body than people in the United States.| University of Arizona researchers determined that
television remotes are the worst carriers of bacteria in hospital rooms, worse even than toilet handles. Remotes spread antibioticresistant Staphylococcus, which contributes to the 90,000 annual deaths from infection acquired in hospitals.|
CEDARS - Jebel Ali International Hospital, Dubai, UAE. Tel: 04-881-4000 Fax: 04-881-4001
CEDARS - Jebel Ali International Hospital is a full-fledged multi-specialty hospital offering services ranging from Pediatrics to Occupational Health, Laparoscopic Surge ry to
Internal Medicine. The Hospital is equipped with ICU for medical and surgical emergencies, with two major and one minor opera tion theatres and runs fully equipped Laboratory and
Radiology departments. CEDARS – Jebel Ali International Hospital is accredited by TUV and JCI and located next to JAFZA Gate 2.
Hygiene Awareness
Page 2
Hand Washing
Clean hands save lives
Most infections, especially colds and gastroenteritis, are caught when we put our
unwashed hands, which have germs on them, to our mouth. Some infections are
caught when other people’s dirty hands touch the food we eat.
Hands and wrists should be washed with clean soap and water, using a brush if
your fingernails are dirty. Dry your hands with something clean, such as paper towels or hot air dryers.
You should always wash your hands:
 After using the toilet
 After handling dogs or other animals
 Before and after caring for someone who is sick
 Before, during, and after preparing food
 Before eating food
 Before and after caring for someone who is sick
 Before and after treating a cut or wound
 After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
 After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
 After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
 After touching garbage
What is the right way to wash your hands?
 Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.
 Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub them well; be sure to scrub
the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
 Continue rubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the
"Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
 Rinse your hands well under running water.
 Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry.
Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce the number of germs
on them. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
that contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce
the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all
types of germs.
Personal hygiene for men
A build-up of secretions called smegma can form under the foreskin of uncircumcised
men. If you are uncircumcised, gently pull back the foreskin when you have a
shower and clean with water. You can use soap if you like, but make sure you rinse
it off well.
Personal hygiene for women
The vagina is able to clean itself no special care is needed other than washing the
external genitals. Do not put anything like douches into the vagina, as the delicate
skin can be damaged. Here are some personal hygiene suggestions for women:
 Menstruation - wash your body, including your genital area, in the same way
as you always do. Change tampons and sanitary napkins regularly, at least four
to five times a day. Always wash your hands before and after handling a tampon
or pad.
CEDARS - Jebel Ali International Hospital, Dubai, UAE. Tel: 04-881-4000 Fax: 04-881-4001
CEDARS - Jebel Ali International Hospital is a full-fledged multi-specialty hospital offering services ranging from Pediatrics to Occupational Health, Laparoscopic Surge ry to
Internal Medicine. The Hospital is equipped with ICU for medical and surgical emergencies, with two major and one minor opera tion theatres and runs fully equipped Laboratory and
Radiology departments. CEDARS – Jebel Ali International Hospital is accredited by TUV and JCI and located next to JAFZA Gate 2.
Hygiene Awareness
Page 3
Cont... Personal hygiene for women


Cystitis - is an infection of the bladder. This is a common condition for sexually active young women. Urinating after sexual intercourse can help to flush
out any bacteria that may be in the urethra and bladder.
Thrush - some soaps and detergents can irritate the skin of the vagina, and
make thrush infections more likely. Some people find that they often get thrush
when they use antibiotics. Use mild soap and unperfumed toilet paper. Avoid
tight, synthetic underwear. Try cotton underwear, and change regularly. There
is medical treatment for thrush, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Oral hygiene
Good oral hygiene includes regular brushing and flossing.
Bad breath can be caused by diseases of the teeth, gums and mouth
such as infections. Most people have bad breath first thing in the morning
because saliva is not made while sleeping. Some foods that can cause bad breath
include garlic and onion. Mouthwashes, mouth sprays and flavoured chewing gum
can make your breath smell better for a while, but if you have a health problem in
your mouth, you need to see your dentist.
.
Home Remedies From the Cupboard
 Baking soda. Baking soda is a great way to clean your teeth and get fresh
breath. For fresher breath, sprinkle some baking soda into your palm, dip a
damp toothbrush into the baking soda, and brush.
 Water. Water is essential for fresher breath. Swish water around your mouth
for at least 20 seconds to loosen food particles and clean your mouth. Water
may even work as well as mouthwash in removing trapped food particles and
keeping your breath fresh.
 Fresh vegetables. Fresh vegetables, such as carrots and celery, fight plaque
and keep your breath smelling nice.
 Cheese. Cheese also fights plaque and mouth odor. Opt for a bit of low-fat
cheese for a snack.
 Aromatic spices. Chewing on the seeds of aromatic spices such as clove, cardamom, or fennel after meals is a common practice in South Asia and the Middle East. The seeds of these spices contain antimicrobial properties that can
help halt bad breath.
Bad breath may be a problem as old as time. But it does not have to ruin your time,
as long as you follow some home remedies before or after your night on the town.
Body Odor
Body odor is caused by a number of factors working in combination, including:
 Chemicals in sweat, including pheromones, which are made by the body and
sexually attract (or repel) other people.
 Wastes excreted through the skin, such as metabolized alcohol.
 The actions of bacteria that live on the skin and feed on dead skin cells and
sweat.
 Unwashed clothes such as underwear and socks.
CEDARS - Jebel Ali International Hospital, Dubai, UAE. Tel: 04-881-4000 Fax: 04-881-4001
CEDARS - Jebel Ali International Hospital is a full-fledged multi-specialty hospital offering services ranging from Pediatrics to Occupational Health, Laparoscopic Surge ry to
Internal Medicine. The Hospital is equipped with ICU for medical and surgical emergencies, with two major and one minor opera tion theatres and runs fully equipped Laboratory and
Radiology departments. CEDARS – Jebel Ali International Hospital is accredited by TUV and JCI and located next to JAFZA Gate 2.
Hygiene Awareness
Page 4
Cont… Body Odor
How to prevent body odor:
 Take a bath daily at least twice.
 Change your clothes, including undergarments and socks daily.
Wash underwear (but not necessarily bras) after each use, and other clothes at
least when they get dirty, sweaty, or when they do not smell clean. Socks and
shoes may be changed 2-3 times per day if they get sweaty, and keeping feet
dry can reduce odor and irritation.
Foot Odor
The main cause of foot odor is foot sweat. Sweat itself is odorless, but it creates
a beneficial environment for certain bacteria to grow and produce bad-smelling substances. These bacteria are naturally present on our skin as part of the human flora.
Therefore, more smell is created with factors causing more sweating, such as wearing shoes and/or socks with inadequate air ventilation for many hours. Hair on the
feet, especially on the toes, may contribute to the odor's intensity by adding increased surface area in which the bacteria can thrive.
While there are a number of
other remedies, sodium
bicarbonate, if bought in a
supermarket, costs
approximately 20 times less
than common odor-eaters or
odor-killer powders.
Prevention & Cure
 One very effective and cheap way to prevent foot odor is with sodium bicarbonate (a mildly basic white salt also known as baking soda, bread soda,
cooking soda, etc). Sodium bicarbonate will create a hostile environment unsuitable for the bacteria responsible for the bad smell. Four pinches of it on each foot
everyday are usually enough (two inside the sock and two on the insole of the
shoe). Sometimes it might take one or two days before the shoes completely lose
their old smell.
 Wash your feet and pat it dry before wearing socks or shoes. Applying the sodium
bicarbonate daily to further prevent foot odor.
 Swabbing feet twice daily with isopropyl alcohol for two weeks is also a cheap
and highly effective cure.
 One can also periodically remove their footwear, to reduce foot moisture and
thereby reduce bacterial spawn.
 Some types of powders and activated charcoal insoles, such as odor eaters, have
been developed to prevent foot odor by keeping the feet dry. Special cedar soles
can be recommended for this purpose because of their antibacterial characteristics.
 Avoid use of synthetic shoes/socks and rotate the pairs of shoes worn.
Travel hygiene
When travelling overseas, take special care if you’re not sure whether the water is safe.
Suggestions include:
 Drink only bottled water.
 Do not use tap water to clean your teeth.
 When you wash your hands, make sure they are totally dry before you touch any food.
 Do not wash fruit or vegetables in unsafe water.
 If you have no other water source, make sure the water is boiled before you drink it by
holding it at a rolling boil for one minute.
 Make sure any dishes, cups or other utensils are totally dry after they are washed.
CEDARS - Jebel Ali International Hospital, Dubai, UAE. Tel: 04-881-4000 Fax: 04-881-4001
CEDARS - Jebel Ali International Hospital is a full-fledged multi-specialty hospital offering services ranging from Pediatrics to Occupational Health, Laparoscopic Surge ry to
Internal Medicine. The Hospital is equipped with ICU for medical and surgical emergencies, with two major and one minor opera tion theatres and runs fully equipped Laboratory and
Radiology departments. CEDARS – Jebel Ali International Hospital is accredited by TUV and JCI and located next to JAFZA Gate 2.
Hygiene Awareness
Page 5
Cont...Travel hygiene
Things to remember:
 Good personal hygiene is one of the most effective ways to protect ourselves and
others from many illnesses, such as gastroenteritis.
 Wash your hands regularly, especially before preparing or eating food and after going
to the toilet.
Office hazards





Air contaminants (dust, fumes, mists….)
Chemical hazards
Physical hazards (noise, temperature)
Biological hazards (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other living organisms)
Ergonomic hazards - hazards in the workplace, such as repetitive
motion, awkward working positions, heavy lifting, and prolonged periods of
sitting or standing, can cause health problems known as musculoskeletal
disorders (MSD). We try to control these hazards as much as possible by
redesigning jobs, processes, work procedures to help protect your health tools
and workstations. When this approach alone doesn’t solve the problem, we use
safer procedures.
Office hygiene





Use a disinfectant wipe once a day on your desk, phone, computer mouse, keyboard and desk drawer.
Do not store food in drawers as it makes them moldy.
Bin anything edible in the fridge or on your desk on Friday that's been there
since Monday.
Wash your hands or use hand sanitizers regularly.
View desk hygiene as a regular task, not something to do in the gap between
Christmas and New Year.
How infections spread
Before you can prevent an infection, it is important to understand how they are
spread.
 Infections are caused by bacteria, viruses and other microscopic organisms.
 These germs are found in the environment (water, soil, air) as well as in and
on humans, in our body secretions (stool etc.) and in the tiny droplets that are
generated by breathing, coughing, sneezing.
 Infections are spread through different means:
Stool
 Germs that cause diarrhea or other infections of the intestinal tract are found in
feces. If personal hygiene is insufficient, stool may contaminate hands, food,
water, surrounding objects and surfaces.
 The easy spread of intestinal infections is also due to the fact that some of the
CEDARS - Jebel Ali International Hospital, Dubai, UAE. Tel: 04-881-4000 Fax: 04-881-4001
CEDARS - Jebel Ali International Hospital is a full-fledged multi-specialty hospital offering services ranging from Pediatrics to Occupational Health, Laparoscopic Surge ry to
Internal Medicine. The Hospital is equipped with ICU for medical and surgical emergencies, with two major and one minor opera tion theatres and runs fully equipped Laboratory and
Radiology departments. CEDARS – Jebel Ali International Hospital is accredited by TUV and JCI and located next to JAFZA Gate 2.
Hygiene Awareness
Page 6
Cont… How infections spread
germs can survive on surfaces and objects for long periods of time.
Proper handwashing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of intestinal infections.
Droplet spread
 Germs that cause colds, strep throats etc. are found in the saliva and secretions of
the nose. Colds and other minor infections including the eyes, nose and throat,
are the most frequent illnesses in young children.
 When people cough, sneeze, have runny noses, or do anything that spreads droplets of secretions from the respiratory tract, the germs can spread. The germs
can then be inhaled, or they may land in a person’s eye, nose or mouth. Indirect
spread may also occur because some viruses can survive in the environment (e.g.
counter tops) for days at a time.
 Because the respiratory viruses can be found in the nose and throat of children for
several days before they show signs of an illness, it is important to follow good
infection control practices at all times.
Contact with blood
 The skin offers an excellent barrier when in contact with blood.
 Several infections may be spread by direct contact with blood if there is a break
in the skin (blood to blood) or direct contact with mucous membranes (i.e. eye,
mouth).
 Only a small amount of blood or body fluids can cause infections so whenever any
amount of blood or bloody body fluids is noticed, equipment, such as gloves, and
proper cleaning and disinfection of exposed objects must occur.
Direct physical contact
 Infections, particularly skin infections such as impetigo and ringworm, are spread
by direct physical contact. This is when children play together and one child
touches the infected skin area of another child.
Contaminated Objects
 Contaminated objects like toys, towels, even food and water, can also infect
people. It is important that all objects are properly cleaned and sanitized and all
food/water is from approved sources.

Methods to prevent infection spread
Some diseases have become immune to the antibiotics we use, As a result, controlling diseases and preventing infections from spreading are more crucial than ever.
 Wash your hands frequently – especially before preparing food, before and after
eating, after using the restroom.
 Insist that your healthcare providers wash their hands and use gloves.
 Don’t insist that your physician give you antibiotics if you don’t need them. Antibiotics have no effect on illnesses caused by viruses.
 Take prescribed antibiotics exactly as instructed. Do not stop taking them without
checking with your physician even if the medicine makes you feel better – or
worse.
 Keep your immunizations up to date especially Chicken pox, hepatitis A & B, Influenza and Tetanus.
CEDARS - Jebel Ali International Hospital, Dubai, UAE. Tel: 04-881-4000 Fax: 04-881-4001
CEDARS - Jebel Ali International Hospital is a full-fledged multi-specialty hospital offering services ranging from Pediatrics to Occupational Health, Laparoscopic Surge ry to
Internal Medicine. The Hospital is equipped with ICU for medical and surgical emergencies, with two major and one minor opera tion theatres and runs fully equipped Laboratory and
Radiology departments. CEDARS – Jebel Ali International Hospital is accredited by TUV and JCI and located next to JAFZA Gate 2.
Hygiene Awareness
Page 7
Methods to prevent infection spread








Follow safe sexual practices.
Do not send your child to day care center or to a school with symptoms of vomiting diarrhea, and/or fever.
Do not use IV drugs. If you do, do not share needles.
Do not share personal items- such as razor blades, toothbrushes, combs, and
hair brushes – and do not eat or drink from other’s plates or glasses.
Keep kitchen surfaces clean especially when preparing meat, chicken and fish;
disinfect kitchen surfaces.
Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold especially when they will be left out for a
long time.
Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as face mask, gloves, goggles,
boots, etc as instructed
Anticipate your exposure
 use sharp-safety devises
 Clean surfaces regularly
 Practice appropriate waste disposal always
“Make hygiene a part of
your daily routine”
Tips for a safe and happy life








Have a happy, safe, and healthy environment
Take steps to prevent the flu.
Wash your hands
Develop, maintain, and keep good sleep habits.
Drink plenty of water.
Eat fruits and vegetables.
Be smoke-free.
Be prepared for cold weather. 
“The single most effective way to prevent infection is handwashing”
Medical Consultant for October 2012
Sophy Mathew is the infection control nurse of CEDARS – Jebel Ali International
Hospital. She is responsible for preparing and implementing all infection control
related policies and procedures in the hospital; she gives infection control related
training to the employees on a regular basis and implements programs related to
infection control to protect the healthcare workers, visitors and others. She is also
in-charge of all infectious related patients
Sophy Mathew
Infection Control Nurse
She has 12 years experience as a nurse in India, Saudi Arabia and UAE and has
worked at various units such us at ICU, CVT, Radiology and Neo-natal.
She has also undergone trainings for CPR & Basic Life Support, Pediatric Advance
Life Support, Triage and ACLS Training.
CEDARS - Jebel Ali International Hospital, Dubai, UAE. Tel: 04-881-4000 Fax: 04-881-4001
CEDARS - Jebel Ali International Hospital is a full-fledged multi-specialty hospital offering services ranging from Pediatrics to Occupational Health, Laparoscopic Surge ry to
Internal Medicine. The Hospital is equipped with ICU for medical and surgical emergencies, with two major and one minor opera tion theatres and runs fully equipped Laboratory and
Radiology departments. CEDARS – Jebel Ali International Hospital is accredited by TUV and JCI and located next to JAFZA Gate 2.