In most cases, antibacterial soap is a marketing ploy that may even increase your chances of getting sick. Proper hand washing is an enormously effective method of prevention. I wash my hands before and after seeing each patient in my office. I recently underwent neck surgery. I'm more pleased that my neurosurgeon scrubbed his hands thoroughly than that he wore sterile gloves.
Hand washing is more important.
Practicing what we already know could prevent this unnecessary suffering and misery. And the same is true for children. In a recent study of 341 children's day-care centers, infrequent washing of children's or providers' hands after nose wiping, after diapering, before meals, and before food preparation was spectacularly associated with a higher frequency of illness. Use of shared cloth towels instead of individual paper towels and washing of sleeping mats less than once a week were also associated with a higher frequency of illness. And, of course, before meals and snacks is a must.