DR. WALLACE: I read in your column that washing your hands is very important to help avoid colds and the flu. I know it's the flu season now, and since I am very involved with a lot of school and family activities, I really need to stay well. Do you have any information on whether or not anti-bacterial soap is necessary for washing your hands? — Tommy, St. Louis, Mo.

TOMMY: A doctor in West Virginia also responded to the column on hand washing. He sent me the following excellent advice that will help you stay active and healthy:

DR. WALLACE: I'm glad that you inform your readers that the best way to avoid catching a cold or the flu is to wash one's hands frequently (at least four times daily) especially before eating.

Please allow me to inform your readers of the proper hand-washing technique. Warm water is not required, and any soap will do the job. Rubbing soapy hands for a minimum of 20 seconds is necessary. It's the friction of rubbing the hands together that is most important.

Wood County elementary students in our state of West Virginia were encouraged to wash their hands frequently as a project started by St. Joseph's Hospital in Parkersburg. During the project, absenteeism fell by 1 percent. This doesn't seem like much, but 125 more students a day were in the classroom being educated rather than being home and sick in bed!

Health professionals agree that proper hand washing is the best preventive medicine for children, teens and adults. Besides colds and flu, other ailments, including infections and diarrhea, are easily transmitted by human hands. — Dr. J.M., Charleston, W.Va.

YOU SHOULD SEE A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY!

DR. WALLACE: I'm 18 and so is my so-called boyfriend. We've dated for over a year and started having sex five months ago. I was a virgin and my boyfriend is the only one I've been sexually active with. I just found out that my "boyfriend" has been having sex with other girls. My best friend told me because two of the girls are friends with her cousin.

When I confronted him, Joe denied it, but then the next day he admitted his sexual flings with four other girls in the last two months. He was also a virgin when we started our sexual relationship, and I was under the impression we were going to be faithful to each other — wrong!

I have dropped him and will never go out with him again. He used protection most of the time, but a few times in the last month or so he didn't. I'm positive that I'm not pregnant, but it's the possibility of having a sexually transmitted infection that bothers me, and in fact, I feel dirty and scared.

Should I gamble that I am not infected, or should I see a doctor to be sure? I can't go to our family doctor because he goes to our church and I would be embarrassed to tell him about my sexual affair. — Nameless, Davenport, Iowa.

NAMELESS: You should see a doctor immediately. Talk to a female counselor or physical education teacher, and ask her to recommend a female gynecologist. You will feel more comfortable discussing your situation with her. Please do this as soon as possible. You don't want to take a risk with your health.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at rwallace@galesburg.net. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.