October 29, 2009 H1N1 precautions: Hand washing, sanitizer, coughing Play video

(NECN) - To tackle H1N1 concerns throughout the region, a panel of experts addressed the misconceptions about the disease and the vaccine as part of NECN's H1N1 two-hour special.

Expert panel:

• Dr. Anita Barry, Boston Public Health commissioner
• Dr. Gwenn O'Keefe, CEO/editor-in-chief, Pediatrics Now
• Dr. Richard Zane, Brigham & Women's Hospital vice chair, Department of Emergency Medicine
• Dr. Myechia Jordan, CEO Dimock Community Health Center
• Dr. Jodie Dionne-Odom, N.H. deputy state epidemiologist
• Dr. Anita Barry, Boston Public Health Commission
• Dr. Alasdair Conn, Emergency Services, Mass. General Hospital
• Dr. Laura Riley, OBGYN Mass. General Hospital

Although the panel of experts said that this strain of the flu is not known to be more contagious than the seasonal flu, there are steps to take to prevent its spread.

Coughing into one's elbow and the use of hand sanitizers can go a long way. Dr. Alasdair Conn, in the video player above, give a refresher course on the proper way to wash one's hands, so as to not spread germs.