Conventional wisdom called into question
The debate about how to guard against the flu just got even muddier. According to an article in the online issue of the Canadian Medical Association, handwashing might not be as effective a prevention tool as previously thought. The article points to a 2007 report, which found no link between hand hygiene and protection from flu viruses. According to the report, our faith in handwashing is born out in several trials that tested a regimen of soapy water five times a day against the chances of catching respiratory illnesses. Though the trials found that handwashing worked, none tested for the transmission of viruses, of which the flu is one.