How effective is hand washing against influenza?

September 23, 2011

How about wearing masks? Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health just concluded the Household Influenza Transmission Study or “HITS,” a study to evaluate the role of hand washing and face mask use in reducing the spread of influenza in Bangkok. The study found that influenza transmission was not reduced by interventions to promote hand washing and face mask use. This could be because of many factors, including the findings that most ill children slept in the same bedroom as their parents. Hand washing has been shown to be effective in reducing respiratory infections in other settings such as schools. Influenza vaccination remains the primary means of decreasing severe illness and death from influenza. “HITS” is one of many studies carried out by the Embassy’s health professionals to assist in fighting and preventing influenza. Have a look at the Embassy’s work in health.