Featured Review: Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses

An updated Cochrane review published today in the Cochrane Library summarizes randomized trial evidence about face masks, hand washing and physical distancing to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. The review will inform revised guidance due to be released by the World Health Organisation.  Lisa Bero, Cochrane Public Health and Health Systems Senior Editor and an author on anEditorial published to accompany this review said, “The results of this review should be interpreted cautiously, and the uncertain findings should not be taken as evidence that these measures are not effective. Most of the trials looked at the effects of measures like face masks and hand washing on their own, however no single measure alone will b e enough to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Public health decision makers need to consider all of the available evidence and are likely to act on uncertain evidence if the intervention has the potential to protect the health of large populations and it is unlikely to lead to very serious harm.” What are respiratory viruses?  Respiratory viruses are viruses that infect the cells in your airways: nose, throat, and lungs. These infections can cause serious problems and affect normal breathing. They can cause flu (influenza), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and COVID-19.How do respiratory viruses spread?People infected with a respiratory virus spread virus particles into the air when they cough or sneeze. Other people become infect...
Source: Cochrane News and Events - Category: Information Technology Authors: Source Type: news