This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows:

To systematically review the evidence of effectiveness of interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses causing influenza‐like illnesses (excluding vaccines and antivirals, which have already been covered by Cochrane Reviews) (Demicheli 2004; Jefferson 1999; Jefferson 2006b; Matheson 2003; Smith 2006; Swingler 2003).