Simple infection control practices to reduce the transmission of illness play an important part in community influenza prevention. A recent three-year study in a 240 student kindergarten in Thailand reported a three-fold (p=0.02) drop of influenza-like symptoms, and a twenty-fold (p=.007) drop in diarrhea following the introduction of four simple practices. Students, teachers and parents were educated on the importance of hand-hygiene; cough-etiquette; enforced absences for sick children; and an annual influenza vaccination were credited with the improvements.
PositiveTip: Wash your hands, cover you mouth when you cough, get a flu shot, and stay home when you are sick!