Face masks, hand hygiene limit flu spread

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Face masks and hand hygiene can effectively reduce the spread of influenza-like illness, U.S. researchers found.

Study leader Allison E. Aiello of the University of Michigan School of Public Health and colleagues recruited more than 1,400 college students living in university residence halls during the 2006-2007 influenza season.

Participants were assigned to one of three groups -- those who wore face masks, those who wore masks and used alcohol-based hand sanitizer, or a control group who received no intervention.

Students were monitored for influenza-like symptoms for six weeks. All participants viewed a basic hand hygiene instructional video. Subjects in the hand hygiene and mask group were given an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and written instructions regarding proper face mask and hand sanitizer use. Those in the mask group received written instructions on face mask use only.

The investigators observed significant reductions in the incidence of influenza-like symptoms starting after three weeks in the hand sanitizer/mask group and in the mask group compared with the control group.

Mask use during this study was proven to have a protective effect even when worn moderately during the day.

The study is published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.