Stuffy trial: do hand sanitizers and masks keep families Flu-Free?
NCT ID NCT00448981
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether giving families educational materials, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and surgical face masks could reduce the spread of colds and flu among household members. Researchers followed 2,788 people in 450 households in Northern Manhattan for 15 months. They tracked flu symptoms, lab-confirmed flu, and how much families knew about prevention.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Hand sanitizer and face masks
What this could lead to
If effective, this could show that simple, low-cost measures like hand sanitizers and masks help families reduce cold and flu transmission.
What could go wrong
This is a behavioral study, not a drug trial. Results may vary by household compliance, and the interventions may not work for everyone.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Columbia University School of Nursing
New York, New York, 10032, United States