Influenza is thought to be spread via a variety of different ways. Flu viruses may be present on surfaces for varying amounts of time depending on environmental conditions. Thus, one way to decrease your chances of becoming infected during a pandemic is to wash your hands properly. This requires a little more time and effort than most people realize. Soap and water can be used in the home. When soap and water are not available, hand sanitizer can be used. This should have an alcohol content of between 60-70%.

 

An excellent video demonstrating proper hand washing. This video was prepared by the Grey Bruce Health Unit in Ontario, Canada.

 

Excellent tutorials on proper hand washing techniques. Very thorough. From the Minnesota Department of Health.

 

Text description of how to properly wash your hands. From the Mayo Clinic.

 

Text description of proper hand washing technique from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

 

Editorial which appeared in the British Medical Journal (2001; 323:411-412). Written by Louise Teare, Barry Cookson and Sheldon Stone.

 

 

Bean B, Moore BM, Sterner B, Peterson LR, Gerding DN, Balfour HH Jr. (1982) Survival of influenza viruses on environmental surfaces. J Infect Dis.146:47–51.

 

Boyce JM, Pittet D. (2002) Guideline for hand hygiene in health-care settings: recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the HICPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task Force. Am J Infect Control. 30:S1-46.