The "do-it-yourself" vaccine that could keep you cold-free this winter.

Right now, there’s a nasty virus lurking near you, just waiting to strike and Take. You. Down.

It could be hiding on the bus. Or on that coffee someone just gave you. That hand you just shook. That door handle you just touched.

In a few days, you’ll have a fever and you’ll be vomiting and suffering the stomach cramps from hell (thanks, norovirus).

Or you’ll have a fever that is accompanied by a sore throat and more snot than you ever thought it was possible for a person to produce (cheers, classic winter flu virus).

But there’s one thing you can do to prevent getting those virus germs anywhere near your body this winter.

It’s all about…

*cue suspense please*

… washing your hands.

I know, right? You probably thought I was about to hand over some big, magical secret. But there are no secrets. It’s just the same old hand-washing message that’s been spun to us ever since we all became toilet trained.

Although, it seems the hand-washing message isn’t getting through. In fact, stats have shown that a whopping one in four people don’t wash their hands after going to the bathroom. Seriously, who are you people? I need to know so that I can avoid you.

The rest – three out of four people – aren’t washing their hands properly. And this is drastically affecting their health.

According to the ABC:

The US Centre for Disease Control says ‘handwashing is like a “do-it-yourself” vaccine’ for a range of illnesses. Research shows that compared to non-handwashers, those who wash four times a day can have up to 24 per cent fewer sick days due to respiratory infections and 51 per cent fewer days off due to tummy problems. Not only that, proper hand washing could also eliminate about half of all cases of food-borne illness.

Surprisingly, washing your hands properly is quite the process. Here’s exactly what you need to do to become the ultimate hand-washing, germ-avoiding expert:

1. Remove rings and watches, wet your hands 

You want to use clean, running water for this – the “running” part is important because you’re not really getting your hands any cleaner if you’re, say, washing them in a sink that’s full of water.

Water temperature isn’t a huge deal, although warm is suggested by the Better Health department because it helps soap to lather up. The main thing is…

2. Use soap

You want enough soap to cover all hand surfaces – liquid soap is preferable for various reasons, largely because it’s more convenient and less likely to be contaminated.

3. Rub hands together

15 seconds is minimum – make sure you count! While you count, rub hands across all surfaces, including your wrists. Don’t forget about the backs of your hands, between fingers and under fingernails. Then rinse hands under water without touching the sink.

4. Dry hands

Either pat dry using a paper towel, or use a hot air drier. If you’re in a public bathroom, use the paper towel to also turn off the faucet and potentially open the bathroom door on your way out. Hands should be DRY – moisture is like a red flag for bacteria contamination.

5. Repeat…

Before eating, preparing food, or touching your mouth. After going to the loo, treating wounds, sneezing, coughing, using a tissue, shaking hands with other people, being generally out and about, touching rubbish, touching animals or coming into contact with sick people.

6. Keep your paws generally away from your face – specifically your nose and your mouth

And generally do all the other things that are so good for boosting your immunity – sleeping, exercising and eating healthy. I cross all my fingers that the virus bug will stay far, far away from you and your families this year.

Calling all clean freaks: Do you see yourself in this germaphobe gallery?

Do you have any hand-washing horror stories? How about general tips for avoiding germs this winter?