The recent study by Global Hygiene Council (GHC) has shown that simple hygiene practices like washing your hands regularly can be highly effective in fighting many viruses including the deadly H1N1 virus.

Mostly children are asked to wash their hands before meals. But the fact is that a few people wash their hands regularly and properly. The standard duration of washing hands is 20 seconds which is rarely followed.

Study highlighted some intriguing facts about the hand and personal hygiene maintained by people. Data analysis of the study revealed that that only 42% Indians believe that washing hands could protect against deadly virus despite the fact that washing hands is the first line of defense against viruses and bacteria.

It was also found that only 30% Indians wash their hands effectively for standard prescribed duration of 20 seconds. Despite the fact that in most households children are asked to wash hands before eating during study 59% Indians said that their children don’t wash hands before meals or snacking.

Another effective way of stopping spread of virus is also ignored by Indians. 74% Indians do not cover their noses while sneezing whereas 29% people do not wash their hands after sneezing. Sneezing can quickly spread bacteria or viruses in the surroundings.