       Document 0425
 DOCN  M9610425
 TI    Viral hazards to and from health care workers.
 DT    9601
 AU    Jeffries DJ; Department of Virology, Medical College of St
       Bartholomew's; Hospital, West Smithfield, London, UK.
 SO    J Hosp Infect. 1995 Jun;30 Suppl:140-55. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96035340
 AB    Much attention has been directed towards nosocomial transmission of
       viruses as a result of clear evidence of patient-to-staff and
       staff-to-patient transmission of the blood-borne viruses HIV and
       hepatitis B virus. Although the relatively long incubation periods of
       these viruses, together with the frequency of asymptomatic infections,
       renders problems for surveillance it has been possible to study modes of
       transmission and levels of risk over a number of years. Information on
       trends of incidence of other nosocomial virus infections has been
       difficult to obtain for a number of reasons. Often, an outbreak in the
       health care setting parallels an epidemic in the community. Although it
       may be possible to define nosocomial transmission from recording dates
       of onset of illness relative to admission date and, at times,
       demonstrate circulation of a common strain by molecular techniques, the
       relative contributions of patient-to-staff and staff-to-patient
       transmission may be difficult to clarify. In this review, details are
       presented of the major viruses associated with nosocomial transmission
       with examples of infections to and from staff where these have occurred.
       The major defences against patient-to-staff and staff-to-patient
       transmission are awareness of potential risks, education and adherence
       to infection control policies, immunization of staff, effective
       decontamination and sterilization and the adoption of 'Universal
       Precautions' in patient care. In addition, there may be occasions when
       additional measures should be considered including isolation, cohorting
       and the use of specific chemo- and immunoprophylaxis.
 DE    Blood-Borne Pathogens  Communicable Diseases/VIROLOGY  *Disease
       Transmission, Patient-to-Professional  *Disease Transmission,
       Professional-to-Patient  Enterovirus Infections/VIROLOGY  Hemorrhagic
       Fevers, Viral/VIROLOGY  Herpesviridae Infections/VIROLOGY  Human
       Respiratory Tract Infections/VIROLOGY  Virus Diseases/*TRANSMISSION
       JOURNAL ARTICLE  REVIEW  REVIEW, TUTORIAL

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

