Researchers in a recently conducted study have found that a web-based programme that encourages people to wash their hands more frequently can result in reducing the risk of getting infected or transferring infections.

Study researchers wrote in The Lancet that they tested the programme called PRIMIT on around 16,000 households in the UK during the winter flu season. The results showed a 14% reduction in general risk of infection and a 20% lower risk of catching flu in those who used it.

Researchers found that the similar group even visited the GP less and needed fewer antibiotics. Usually we come across people who wash their hands five or six times a day, but Prof Paul Little, from the University of Southampton, lead author of the research said in a statement that if hand washing practice is increased to 10 times a day then it would have an important effect on reducing the spread of bugs and infections.

Some earlier conducted researchers have shown that infections in adults could be prevented they wash their hands more often a day and reduced their 'viral load'.

PRIMIT has four weekly sessions which explain the medical evidence behind regular hand-washing. It also encourages people to learn simple techniques to avoid catching and passing on viruses and to monitor their own hand-washing behavior.

Participants of the study were followed for 16 weeks and asked to fill in a questionnaire afterwards. Most households nowadays have access to the internet; therefore the programme could be a good source of health information in a pandemic and help prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed, said Prof. Little.