Hygiene measures in case of influenza viruses

Adhering to only few basic rules of action already can help avoid a transmission of influenza viruses to healthy people. Thorough hand hygiene plays a crucial role in preventing influenza infection.

Actions to be taken in case of influenza infection

• Do not cough or sneeze into your hands, but into the elbow pit or into a tissue. The tissue should be thrown in the bin after use
• After contact with infected people or contaminated material, perform hand hygiene by washing with soap and water, or by disinfecting your hands for at least 30 seconds using an alcohol-based hand rub
• Also disinfect surfaces and objects touched with hands
• Air closed rooms for five to ten minutes several times a day
• Wipe up respiratory secretions with single-use tissues; afterwards, discard them in a hygienic way

To inactivate influenza viruses on the hands, we recommend using alcohol-based hand rubs with virucidal activity against enveloped viruses. They are available at pharmacies.

Further information on influenza (symptoms, infection and course of the disease, risk groups) are available in the glossary.

Further information on the Influenza A virus are available in the glossary.