Handwashing and respiratory illness among young adults in military training

A simple handwashing programme among US Navy recruits almost halved the number of respiratory infections they suffered. At the training Centre in Illinois, recruits were ordered to wash their hands at least five times a day, as liquid soap dispensers were installed at the side of all sinks on the base. In 1997 and 1998 illnessrates with respiratory tract infections were 45% lower for those who took part in the initiative. Am J Prev Med 2001;21:79-83.