Suchitra Rao1, Ann-Christine Nyquist. 1. aDepartment of Pediatrics (Infectious Diseases), University of Colorado School of Medicine bDepartment of Community and Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: As viral respiratory infections are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality, and are associated with numerous challenges for infection control, we provide an overview of the most recent publications on healthcare-associated respiratory infections. RECENT FINDINGS: Populations most susceptible to respiratory viruses include neonates, immunocompromised and elderly populations. Newer polymerase chain reaction-based assays are more sensitive and are able to detect multiple respiratory viruses. The significance of virus detection among asymptomatic individuals, however, remains unclear. There is more evidence of airborne transmission of influenza, but currently N95 masks are recommended only for aerosol generating procedures. Transocular transmission of influenza has been demonstrated in the experimental setting, but further research is needed of transocular transmission of other respiratory viruses. Mandatory vaccination of healthcare workers against influenza has been shown to reduce influenza rates and patient mortality. SUMMARY: Infection control measures can be supplemented with use of polymerase chain reaction testing to determine causes, but the cornerstone of prevention relies on enforcing appropriate isolation measures for patients: hand hygiene; appropriate use of personal protective equipment by healthcare workers; illness screening of visitors; and influenza vaccination of healthcare workers, patients and families.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: As viral respiratory infections are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality, and are associated with numerous challenges for infection control, we provide an overview of the most recent publications on healthcare-associated respiratory infections. RECENT FINDINGS: Populations most susceptible to respiratory viruses include neonates, immunocompromised and elderly populations. Newer polymerase chain reaction-based assays are more sensitive and are able to detect multiple respiratory viruses. The significance of virus detection among asymptomatic individuals, however, remains unclear. There is more evidence of airborne transmission of influenza, but currently N95 masks are recommended only for aerosol generating procedures. Transocular transmission of influenza has been demonstrated in the experimental setting, but further research is needed of transocular transmission of other respiratory viruses. Mandatory vaccination of healthcare workers against influenza has been shown to reduce influenza rates and patient mortality. SUMMARY: Infection control measures can be supplemented with use of polymerase chain reaction testing to determine causes, but the cornerstone of prevention relies on enforcing appropriate isolation measures for patients: hand hygiene; appropriate use of personal protective equipment by healthcare workers; illness screening of visitors; and influenza vaccination of healthcare workers, patients and families.
Authors: Marcelo Soto; Laura Sampietro-Colom; Anna Vilella; Efraín Pantoja; María Asenjo; Ruth Arjona; Juan Carlos Hurtado; Antoni Trilla; Míriam José Alvarez-Martínez; Aurea Mira; Jordi Vila; María Angeles Marcos Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-01-20 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Stefania Vergnano; Jim Buttery; Ben Cailes; Ravichandran Chandrasekaran; Elena Chiappini; Ebiere Clark; Clare Cutland; Solange Dourado de Andrade; Alejandra Esteves-Jaramillo; Javier Ruiz Guinazu; Chrissie Jones; Beate Kampmann; Jay King; Sonali Kochhar; Noni Macdonald; Alexandra Mangili; Reinaldo de Menezes Martins; César Velasco Muñoz; Michael Padula; Flor M Muñoz; James Oleske; Melvin Sanicas; Elizabeth Schlaudecker; Hans Spiegel; Maja Subelj; Lakshmi Sukumaran; Beckie N Tagbo; Karina A Top; Dat Tran; Paul T Heath Journal: Vaccine Date: 2016-08-01 Impact factor: 3.641
Authors: Kelvin Kw To; Lu Lu; Cyril Cy Yip; Rosana Ws Poon; Ami My Fung; Andrew Cheng; Daniel Hk Lui; Deborah Ty Ho; Ivan Fn Hung; Kwok-Hung Chan; Kwok-Yung Yuen Journal: Emerg Microbes Infect Date: 2017-06-07 Impact factor: 7.163
Authors: Hao Oumei; Wang Xuefeng; Liu Jianping; Shen Kunling; Ma Rong; Cui Zhenze; Deng Li; Yan Huimin; Wang Lining; Liu Zhaolan; Li Xinmin; Xu Hua; Jiang Zhiyan; Li Yanning; Huang Yan; Zhang Baoqing; Feng Xiaochun; He Chunhui; Jiang Yonghong; Zhao Xue; Wei Wei; Wang Zi Journal: J Med Virol Date: 2017-11-09 Impact factor: 2.327