Covering coughs, washing hands cuts flu

BERKELEY, Calif., Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Using sophisticated modeling, U.S. researchers showed H1N1 flu infection rates vary via pathways of exposure -- touching, coughing, inhaling air.

Dr. Mark Nicas of the University of California Berkeley's School of Public Health and Dr. Rachael M. Jones of the University of Illinois Chicago's School of Public Health say while healthcare workers and caregivers attending known or suspect influenza patients are a high-risk group, individuals in classrooms or crowded stores with people with H1N1 virus also face inhalation risks.

The study, published in the journal Risk Analysis, found 31 percent were likely to be infected via hand contact with contaminated surfaces, 17 percent via inhaling small particles carrying virus when in the room with someone ill, 0.52 percent inhaling relatively large particles carrying virus when within three feet of an infected person and 52 percent while being in close contact with someone spraying cough droplets carrying the virus onto the eyes, nostrils and lips.

The study supports general advisories to cover coughs, wash hands frequently and disinfect surfaces, the researchers say.

The study also substantiates the benefits of caregivers using gloves and a filtering-facepiece respirator, if possible, when they are in a confined room with an individual ill with influenza