Final answer:
Yes, practicing thorough hand washing can reduce the incidence of diseases like chicken pox, colds, hepatitis, and impetigo. It is a simple, affordable, and effective method that helps remove pathogens from the skin, reducing the risk of disease transmission. However, for certain infections, other methods of prevention are necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
The direct answer to the question "The incidence of chicken pox, colds, hepatitis, and impetigo can be reduced by practicing thorough hand washing." is a) True.
It's well established that basic hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of many types of infection and illness, including those mentioned in this question. Hand washing is a simple, affordable, and effective method that helps to remove pathogens from the skin, reducing the risk of disease transmission. The CDC has provided guidelines for proper handwashing involving five key steps: wetting hands, applying soap, scrubbing hands for at least 20 seconds, rinsing hands under running water, and finally, drying hands using a clean towel. This process can remove germs that can lead to diseases like chicken pox, colds, hepatitis, and impetigo.
Importantly, context matters. While hand hygiene can reduce the risk of transmission, it's not a guarantee that a person will not contract these diseases, particularly if they're exposed to them in other ways. For certain health concerns such as hepatitis, other preventive measures like vaccination and safe practices are also necessary.
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