“The best cheap medical solution in history: bar soap” (Zugar). Soap disrupted the commercial industry by allowing the development of any type of hand hygiene product to alleviate a person's fear. Almost every type of product imaginable by man is designed to keep germs on their toes. Ignaz Semmelweis is often credited with being the first physician to apply germ theory to strengthen soap. In "1846" he encouraged hospitals to use a stronger form of soap containing an "antiseptic agent" consisting of a chloride solution (CDC 1). Today, however, hand washing is becoming one of the fastest growing medical concerns because hand hygiene can truly save lives. According to America.gov Special Correspondent Nancy L. Pontius, “Every year, diarrhea and pneumonia kill more than 3.5 million children under the age of 5 worldwide. Many of them could have been saved by the simple act of washing their hands” (United States. Department of State. Office of International Information Programs). Using effective hand hygiene, which prevents the spread of germs, is essential to preventing disease and preserving life. Hand washing 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 our hands, illnesses like these are passed on unconsciously, because we don't really think about the germs that might reside on a person's hands. This person's hand could be the one that prepared lunch for a group of individuals at ...... middle of paper ......ing, Public Health Laboratory Service, Bary Cookson, Gary French, Dinah Gould, Elizabeth Jenner, J McCulloch, Anne Palleh, M Schweigan, Geoffrey Schott and Jennie Wilson. “Hand washing: a modest measure but with big effects. » British Medical Journal 318.7185 (1999): 686. PubMed. Internet. October 12, 2011. United States. Department of State. Bur. international news programs. Global Handwashing Day 2008 Promotes Hygiene Education by Nancy L. Pontius. October 1, 2008. Web. November 11, 2011. “America Needs a Hand with Restroom Etiquette (Public Restroom Handwashing Survey).” » Medical Post 32.33 (1996): 6. LexisNexis. Internet. November 1, 2011. Wisconsin Division of Public Health. Department of Health Services. Hand washing. September 2006. n.pag. Internet. October 12, 2011.Zugar, Abigail. “The simplest health solutions? It's complicated. New York Times. New York Times, September 26, 2011. n. page. Internet. October 12 2011.