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Experts Warn Hand Washing Not Enough To Stop H1N1

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Sep 18, 2009 7:40 pm US/Pacific

Experts Warn Hand Washing Not Enough To Stop H1N1

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) ― The advice is loud and clear. To fight the spread of swine flu, use lots of soap, hot water, and plenty of scrubbing. While hand washing is always a great idea, it is lathering up the public health experts such as Dr. Arthur Reingold, dean of the School of Public Health at UC Berkeley.

"Hand washing probably has little to do with the prevention of the transmission of the influenza virus, the virus that causes influenza", Dr. Reingold said. That includes all influenza viruses, including the H1N1 swine flu virus.

Dr. Reingold said there is no scientific evidence frequent hand washing will dramatically reduce the spread of swine flu.

"My concern is in essence that people have focused on hand washing to the exclusion of other prevention approaches and that's probably not a wise decision to make," said Reingold.

While hand washing can help stop the spread of the common cold and other viruses, Dr. Reingold said the flu virus is transmitted without the help of your hands, through infectious particles coughed or sneezed into the air.

Once an infected person coughs or sneezes out those particles, and they become airborne, that's how they get into your lungs and that causes you to get influenza.

The best way to prevent any flu: Get vaccinated. Stay home if you are sick. Cover your cough and sneezes. And if you have to go out, wear a mask.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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