When I caught nits when I was younger, I remember trying to get rid of them by combing and chemicals. This was time consuming and, sometimes, uncomfortable. Wouldn't it be simpler just to drown them? If you can drown Headlice, how long would it take?

I suppose what I mean here is... how many people would not have died were it not for the presence of MRSA in hospitals? That would have left cured or treated of the ailment they originally arrived because of?

For fair comparison, I'm thinking of the surfaces which are in contact with the outside world - bare hands, and the soles of one's shoes.

Now, you don't wash your shoes, but investigations of handwashing show that this is usually inadequate, too.

As for 'dirty', let's use as a measure the (estimated or measured) amount of stuff on each carrier surface which might be harmful to human health.  Particular bacteria, viruses, noxious substances, et cetera.

Inspired by a discussion on public transport, and admonitions not to sit on floors in public places or place feet on seats - is this worse, or just as bad as, or actually better than grabbing handrails, I wonder...?

With the recent "swine flu" concerns NHS signs have gone up in all the toilets instructing people on how to wash their hands.

Wet

Soap

Wash

Rinse

Dry

(you can see the poster here - http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_063674).

But I was always taught that with liquid soap you should apply the soap FIRST, rub it all around your hands, and then wash them under running water etc.

Anyone know which is better?

cheers,

Steve