How long should hand washing last?

According to Dr. Dennis Baney, excessive hygiene can lead to an imbalance of the natural microflora of the skin and mucous membranes and create favorable conditions for the multiplication of microorganisms.

The doctor said in an interview with RT: “Repeated washing of the hands and body can cause thinning of the skin’s natural protective sebum layer, making it more vulnerable to pathogens. The decrease in numbers and resistance to beneficial bacteria usually found on the skin that protect it from infections, and may lead to the development of eczema.” Dermatitis, pink rashes and other skin diseases.

He adds: “In addition, the continuous use of antibacterial substances can lead to the development of microbial resistance to antibiotics, as well as an increase in allergies and autoimmune diseases. Scientific studies have shown that children who grow up in highly sterile conditions are more likely to suffer from allergies, including "Including bronchial asthma. This is explained by the absence of real 'enemies', so the immune system begins to attack the body's own cells."

According to the doctor, it is necessary at the same time to follow the rules of personal hygiene. Because it helps avoid a number of respiratory, digestive, and skin diseases. That is, there must be a balance between safety measures and excessive hygiene that harm the body.

He says: "Hands must be washed periodically, especially before eating and after the toilet, public places, or contact with a sick person. In general, the duration of washing hands should not be less than 20 seconds."

Fever is a temporary increase in body temperature that causes symptoms such as chills, shivering, muscle pain, and other uncomfortable symptoms.

Fever occurs when the body's defense system fights infection, but it can also be caused by other factors, including autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or as a side effect of certain medications.

Human body temperature varies slightly from day to day and from person to person, but is usually maintained at around 37°C (98.6°F). This creates an ideal environment for the cells to work efficiently.

A part of the brain called the hypothalamus acts like a thermostat, constantly monitoring the body temperature and turning the internal discs to hold it down to approximately 37 degrees Celsius.

During an infection, when our immune cells detect foreign invaders, such as bacteria or viruses, they release fever-causing chemicals called pyrogens.

These chemicals travel to the brain, where they act on temperature-sensitive neurons in the hypothalamus, essentially telling it it's time to turn up the temperature, says Dr. Paul O'Rourke, an assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University.

As a result, these neurons release hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, specifically a substance called PGE2, to twist the dial of the body's thermostat and initiate a fever.

"We typically describe a fever as when temperatures reach more than 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit)," O'Rourke said.

The hypothalamus can raise body temperature in several ways. For example, it directs blood vessels to constrict, reducing the amount of heat that dissipates through the surface of the skin. It also stimulates shivering to generate as much heat as possible.

Together, these physiological processes form part of the body's first line of defense against infection, known as acute inflammation. The main goal is to control the infection and prevent it from spreading.

Ironically, people may develop chills accompanied by fever, even though their body temperature is high. This is because the hypothalamus has temporarily increased the body's internal thermostat to a higher "normal" level. As your body tries to reach this new baseline, you feel relatively cold.

Why does the body need heat?

One possible reason is that it's more difficult for bacteria or viruses to multiply and infect our cells, O'Rourke said. He added that higher body temperature may transform the immune system into a better "fighting machine." For example, when the body temperature rises, cells produce heat shock proteins (HSP), which activate immune pathways to fight infection.

Heat shock proteins are typically upregulated by cells during inflammation, as the body seeks to protect itself from foreign invaders.

“For your older child or adult, you may have some degree of fever for a few days, certainly two or three days, without necessarily having to get a lot of medical attention,” explains Dr. Kitty O'Hare, an associate consultant in the Department of Medicine at Duke University.  

But if you are concerned about your symptoms or they do not seem to be improving, you should contact your health care provider.

Sometimes, when children have a high fever, for example, they can have convulsions called febrile seizures. Although they can be frightening, they only last a few minutes and are usually harmless. However, parents should contact their health care provider any time their child has a seizure, even if it is during a fever.

O'Hare noted that the degree of fever is also important, explaining: "It is a good idea to get advice from your health care provider based on your health history about how much fever might cause you a problem."

Depending on your age, over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help relieve fever symptoms. Taking off a layer of clothing, taking a cool bath, and drinking cool fluids can also help improve fever.