Not H1N1
Contrary to popular belief, 2009 H1N1 isn’t the only, or even the most common, virus causing respiratory illness in the U.S. right now. Viral diagnostic testing is not usually performed on patients with mild respiratory illness—that’s different now, so it's interesting to see what else (other than H1N1) is out there. A question to that effect was posed on the “ClinMicroNet”, a listserve for directors of clinical microbiology labs across the country. So here is a quick summary list of what labs across the country are finding in the samples collected from patients feared to have H1N1 (in a rough order of frequency): parainfluenza, usual seasonal influenza (mostly H3N2 and influenza B), adenovirus, rhinovirus, enterovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), bocavirus, and human metapneumovirus.
I cared for quite a few isolated patients when I worked at a hospital. I only got sick afterwards one time after I helped hold a suspected Rotovirus pedi while an IV was started, and I was pretty loose the next day. The unit I worked on didn't use the papoose/velcro-strap boards very often. Some thought they upset parents.
ReplyDeleteDo you think physically restraining infectious patients is riskier than using wrist/ankle restraints or papooses on young patients for healthcare workers.