“The greatest economical medical solution in all of history: the bar of soap” (Zugar). Soap has turned the commercial industry on its head by allowing the creation of all types of hand hygiene products to calm people's fear. Nearly every type of product imaginable to man is made to keep germs off your toes. Ignaz Semmelweis is often credited with being the first doctor to enforce the germ theory to strengthen soap. In “1846” he encouraged hospitals to use a stronger form of soap that contained an “antiseptic agent” made from a chloride solution (CDC 1). Today, however, hand washing is becoming one of the fastest growing medical concerns, as hand hygiene can actually save a life. According to Nancy L. Pontius, special correspondent for America.gov, “Each year, diarrhea and pneumonia kill more than 3.5 million children under age 5 worldwide. Many of them could have been saved by the simple act of washing their hands” (United States Department of State, Bur. of International Information Programs). Adopting effective hand hygiene, which hinders the spread of germs, is vital for the prevention of disease and the preservation of life. Washing your hands offers many beneficial effects. One of these benefits is that it helps prevent diseases. According to the Wisconsin Division of Public Health, illnesses such as “flu, strep, syncytial virus and the common cold can be avoided after coughing, sneezing and shaking hands.” Often, by not washing one's hands, diseases like these are transmitted unconsciously because little attention is paid to what germs might be residing on a person's hand. This person's hand may be the hand that prepared lunch for a group of individuals in... middle of document... ing, Public Health Laboratory Service, Bary Cookson, Gary French, Dinah Gould, Elizabeth Jenner, J McCulloch , Anne Palleh, M Schweigan, Geoffrey Schott and Jennie Wilson. “Handwashing: a modest measure, with big effects.” British Medical Journal 318.7185 (1999): 686. PubMed. Network. October 12, 2011. United States. Department of State. Bur. of international information programs. World Handwashing Day 2008 promotes hygiene education by Nancy L. Pontius. October 1, 2008. Web. November 11, 2011. "US Needs Hand on Restroom Etiquette (Survey of Hand Washing in Public Restrooms)." Medical Station 32.33 (1996): 6. LexisNexis. Network. November 1, 2011. Wisconsin Division of Public Health. Department of Health Services. Hand washing. Sept. 2006. n.pag. Network. 12 Oct 2011.Zugar, Abigail. “The simplest healthcare solutions? It's complicated. New York Times. New York Times, September 26, 2011. n. page Network. October 12 2011.