Because of increased media attentio...

Because of increased media attention to episodes of foodborne infections, affect about infectious disease has increased. Sales of antibacterial proceedss recommended for personal hygiene and general dwelling cleaning have increased without any clear evidence of their efficacy. The potential part of home hygiene practices in preventing infections is unknown. Studies have demonstrated that hygiene efforts in child care center and denominations can decrease infection transmission, if it be not that the value of a home-based hygienic program is les clear. Potentially, the long-term use of antibacterial returnss could lead to increased bacterial resistance. Larson and associates performed a double-blind clinical trial in which inner-city households used antibacterial preparations for handwashing and household cleaning, or productions without antibacterial ingredients.

Researchers randomized 238 households with at least common preschool-aged child to one of pair study groups; 224 households participated in the entire 48 weeks of the close attention Households randomly assigned to the antibacterial assemblage received appropriate products labeled with the word "antibacterial" or "disinfectant." Households in the sway group received products that contemplateed similar but were not antibacterial. the two groups were given dishwashing cleansings and bar soaps that were not antibacterial.

All households were followed with weekly telephone calls and monthly visits for yield use and symptoms of infection. Almost single third of households had at least the same member with symptoms of infectious disease monthly; the greatest in number common symptoms were respiratory. The symptoms at household-month did not differ between the sum of two units trial groups. Interestingly, persons with chronic disease or poor health in the antibacterial family clumps were significantly more likely to have agitation runny nose, and cough than counterparts in the nonantibacterial group

The authors close that although personal hygiene may be useful in decreasing the rates of infection transmission in specific households, including those with immuno-suppressed members or individuals with skin or gastrointestinal infections, the use of antibacterial soaps does not benefit the households of the general, healthy population. The potential value of antibacterial cleansers in household use should not be overestimated at zealous manufacturers.

In an editorial in the same issue, Weber and Hughes point without that infection control probably is better aimed at reducing community risk than at household transmission. Viral infection is unlikely to be diminished by means of the use of antibacterial preparations. Perhaps other maneuvers, as it is as covering the mouth during sneeze or cough will establish to be more effective in deterring household infection transmission.

RICHARD SADOVSKY, MD

Larson EL et al. power of antibacterial home cleaning and handwashing performances on infectious disease symptoms. A randomized, double-blind trial. Ann Intern M March 2 2004;140;321-9 and Weber JT Hughes JM Beyond Semmelweis: moving infection dominion government into the community [Editorial]. Ann Intern M March 2 2004;140:397-8

COPYRIGHT 2004 American Academy of Family Physicians

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