Respiratory illness often spreads from one family member to another. A new study has shown in homes were the use of alcohol based hand sanitizers are used more, the chances of spreading of respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases from one family member to another is restricted.

The study took into account the family belief and practices, members were asked to record the timing and duration of respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases. Each family had at least one child of age between 6 months and 5 yrs who goes to a day care or any school. The study had looked into data collected for over four weeks in such a manner for 261 families. Researchers had observed 1545 respiratory problems and 360 gastrointestinal problems as primary illnesses introduced into the family. 33% of the families had been using alcohol based hand sanitizers for some time during the day.

The study results show that the gels or hand sanitizers act as a protective agent against respiratory illness that gets transmitted amongst members of the family. As the homes where there is at least one day care or school going child, respiratory illness is quite common and gets spread from one member to another. The results of the study will help in having new rules of hygiene established at home that will help in controlling the spread of the diseases.

Reference: Journal Pediatrics, issue April 2005 , Respiratory illness, gastrointestinal diseases, alcohol based hand sanitizers, family, primary illnesses, school going child, hygiene