Bigger Families May Deal With More Viral Infections

By Dr Deepu

HealthDay (8/7, Preidt) reports that “being part of a big family boosts the risk of passing on viral infections that cause colds, flu and other respiratory woes,” according to a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases journal. The study of “108 people from 26 Utah families” revealed that “people in childless households were infected with viruses an average of three to four weeks a year.” Viral infections “rose to 18 weeks a year in families with one child, and up to 45 weeks a year in households with six children,” the study found.

        Meanwhile, HealthDay (8/7, Preidt) reports, “An online program that encourages people to wash their hands reduced the spread of cold and flu viruses within families,” according to a study published online in The Lancet that involved some 20,000 UK adults. The online “program also led to fewer gastrointestinal illnesses, doctor appointments and antibiotic prescriptions,” the study found.