Back to basics: hand hygiene and isolation

Lin Huang, G. Khai; Stewardson, Andrew J.; Lindsay Grayson, M.

Novel approaches to hand hygiene, such as nonalcohol-based products [60] , cold plasma systems [61] and photodynamic therapy [62] , have recently been investigated, but there is insufficient efficacy or safety data to recommend their use. Despite these in-vivo studies, the clinical utility of ABHR for preventing respiratory virus infections in the community remains less certain. Turner et al. [70] conducted a randomized trial in young adult volunteers on the ability of ABHR to prevent rhinovirus infection or rhinovirus-associated illness. Despite the earlier promise in experimental models [71] , they were not able to demonstrate a benefit. Wong et al. [72 && ] performed a meta-analysis on the efficacy of hand hygiene interventions in preventing influenza virus transmission in the community. Although subgroup analysis from developed countries suggested that a combined intervention of hand hygiene with facemasks is a beneficial strategy, the efficacy of hand hygiene alone was not demonstrated.