According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), handwashing helps prevent illness because:

The CDC emphasizes that handwashing prevents illness primarily because germs (pathogens) are commonly spread when people touch contaminated surfaces, objects, or other people and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. Proper handwashing removes these pathogens and interrupts this transmission route. The other options are incorrect: (B) is not a reason recognized by CDC; (C) misstates the mechanism (pathogens on hands don’t “weaken the immune system” directly—transmission to entry sites causes infection); and (D) is false—soap and water are often preferred, and alcohol-based sanitizer does not work against all organisms (e.g., spores like C. difficile and some viruses), whereas handwashing does.

References (Pharmacy Technician documents/Study Guides):

• CDC Hand Hygiene guidance for the public and healthcare settings highlighting touch as a primary transmission pathway and the effectiveness of handwashing.

• PTCB/ExCPT study materials on infection control and hand hygiene principles in pharmacy practice.

• USP <795>/<797> introductory hygiene expectations reinforcing handwashing to reduce contamination risk.