scholarly journals Acceptability of hygiene, face covering and social distancing interventions to prevent exacerbations in people living with airways diseases

Thorax ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. thoraxjnl-2021-217981
Author(s):  
John R Hurst ◽  
Andrew Cumella ◽  
Camila Nagoda Niklewicz ◽  
Keir E J Philip ◽  
Victoria Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Virus ◽  
Influenza Season ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Public Spaces ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Respiratory Virus Infection ◽  
Do So

Interventions to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 have been associated with substantial reductions in exacerbations of airways diseases, likely through reduced transmission of other respiratory viruses. We surveyed 4442 people with airways disease (asthma=3627, bronchiectasis=258, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease=557) to gauge attitudes and intentions towards continuing such measures after the COVID-19 pandemic. 47% intended to continue wearing a face mask in indoor public spaces, and 61% thought everyone should be required to do so during the ‘influenza season. Women, those with bronchiectasis, and older people were generally more cautious. Respiratory virus infection control measures should be considered in clinical guidelines and public health recommendations.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the behaviour and health status of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – results from the German COPD cohort COSYCONET

2021 ◽  
pp. 00242-2021
Author(s):  
Kathrin Kahnert ◽  
Johanna I. Lutter ◽  
Tobias Welte ◽  
Peter Alter ◽  
Jürgen Behr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Clinical State ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Public Media ◽  
Common Notion

BackgroundInfection control measures for COVID-19 might have affected management and clinical state of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We analysed to which extent this common notion is fact-based.MethodsPatients of the COSYCONET cohort were contacted with three recurring surveys (COVID1, 2, 3 at 0, 3 and 6 months). The questionnaires comprised behaviour, clinical and functional state and medical treatment. The responses to the questionnaires were compared amongst themselves and with pre-COVID information from the last visit of COSYCONET.ResultsOverall, 594 patients were contacted and 375 patients (58% males, FEV1 61±22%predicted) provided valid data in COVID1 and COVID2. Five patients reported infections with SARS-CoV-2. Most patients – except for patients with higher education – reported compliance with recommended protective measures, whereby compliance to hygiene, contact and access to physicians slightly improved between COVID1 and COVID2. Also, patients obtained more information from physicians than from public media. In the majority of cases, the personal physician could not be substituted by remote consultation. Over time, symptoms slightly increased and self-assessed physical capacity decreased. Results of COVID3 were similar. Women and patients with more exacerbations and dyspnoea avoided medical consultations, whereas GOLD D patients were more amenable to tele-consultation.ConclusionIn well-characterised COPD patients, we observed on average slight deteriorations of clinical state during the period of COVID-19 restrictions, with high and partially increasing adherence to protective measures. The data suggest that in particular women and GOLD D patients should be actively contacted by physicians to identify deteriorations.

scholarly journals Determinants of COVID-19 preventive behaviours among adults with chronic diseases in the USA: an analysis of the nationally representative COVID-19 impact survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e044600
Author(s):  
Jessica Y. Islam ◽  
Denise C. Vidot ◽  
Marlene Camacho-Rivera
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
High School Degree ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Nationally Representative

BackgroundPreventive behaviours have been recommended to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Adults with chronic diseases (CDs) are at higher risk of COVID-19-related mortality compared to the general population. Our objective was to evaluate adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviours among adults without CDs compared with those with CDs and identify determinants of non-adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviours.Study designCross-sectional.Setting and participantsWe used data from the nationally representative COVID-19 Impact Survey (n=10 760) conducted in the USA.Primary measuresAdults with CDs were categorised based on a self-reported diagnosis of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease/heart attack/stroke, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis or emphysema, cystic fibrosis, liver disease, compromised immune system, or cancer (54%).ResultsCompared with adults without CDs, adults with CDs were more likely to adhere to preventive behaviours including wearing a face mask (χ2-p<0.001), social distancing (χ2-p<0.001), washing or sanitising hands (χ2-p<0.001), and avoiding some or all restaurants (χ2-p=0.002) and public or crowded places (χ2-p=0.001). Adults with a high school degree or below [Adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR):1.82, 95% Confidence interval (CI)1.04 to 3.17], household income <US$50 000 (aPR:2.03, 95% CI 1.34 to 2.72), uninsured (aPR:1.65, 95% CI1.09 to 2.52), employed (aPR:1.48, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.17), residing in rural areas (aPR:1.70, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.85) and without any CD (aPR:1.78, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.55) were more likely to not adhere to COVID-19 preventive behaviours.ConclusionAdults with CDs are more likely to adhere to recommended COVID-19 preventive behaviours. Public health messaging targeting specific demographic groups and geographic areas, such as adults without CD or adults living in rural areas, should be prioritised.

Control of Influenza A on a Bone Marrow Transplant Unit

2000 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 730-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Weinstock ◽  
Janet Eagan ◽  
Sharp Abdel Malak ◽  
Maureen Rogers ◽  
Holly Wallace ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Bone Marrow Transplant ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Influenza Season ◽  
Marrow Transplant ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Rigorous Approach ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Adult Bone

AbstractIn January 1998, an outbreak of influenza A occurred on our adult bone marrow transplant unit. Aggressive infection control measures were instituted to halt further nosocomial spread. A new, more rigorous approach was implemented for the 1998/99 influenza season and was extremely effective in preventing nosocomial influenza at our institution.

scholarly journals Impact of a Positive Viral Polymerase Chain Reaction on Outcomes of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Exacerbations

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 8072 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kulothungan Gunasekaran ◽  
Mudassar Ahmad ◽  
Sana Rehman ◽  
Bright Thilagar ◽  
Kavitha Gopalratnam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Respiratory Virus ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Copd Exacerbations ◽  
The Mean

Introduction: More than 15 million adults in the USA have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) places a high burden on the healthcare system. Many hospital admissions are due to an exacerbation, which is suspected to be from a viral cause. The purpose of this analysis was to compare the outcomes of patients with a positive and negative respiratory virus panel who were admitted to the hospital with COPD exacerbations. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in the Geisinger Healthcare System. The dataset included 2729 patient encounters between 1 January 2006 and 30 November 2017. Hospital length of stay was calculated as the discrete number of calendar days a patient was in the hospital. Patient encounters with a positive and negative respiratory virus panel were compared using Pearson’s chi-square or Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables and Student’s t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests for continuous variables. Results: There were 1626 patients with a total of 2729 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation encounters. Nineteen percent of those encounters (n = 524) had a respiratory virus panel performed during their admission. Among these encounters, 161 (30.7%) had positive results, and 363 (69.3%) had negative results. For encounters with the respiratory virus panel, the mean age was 64.5, 59.5% were female, 98.9% were white, and the mean body mass index was 26.6. Those with a negative respiratory virus panel had a higher median white blood cell count (11.1 vs. 9.9, p = 0.0076). There were no other statistically significant differences in characteristics between the two groups. Respiratory virus panel positive patients had a statistically significant longer hospital length of stay. There were no significant differences with respect to being on mechanical ventilation or ventilation-free days. Conclusion: This study shows that a positive respiratory virus panel is associated with increased length of hospital stay. Early diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation patients with positive viral panel would help identify patients with a longer length of stay.

scholarly journals Smoke and viruses–a hindrance to relaxing the airways?

2016 ◽  
Vol 130 (10) ◽  
pp. 839-841
Author(s):  
Aran Singanayagam ◽  
Sebastian L. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Cigarette Smoke ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Influenza Infection ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Airway Reactivity ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Adrenoceptor Agonists ◽  
Respiratory Virus Infection ◽  
Exacerbation Of Copd ◽  
Precision Cut Lung Slices

Inhaled β2-adrenoceptor agonists are a mainstay of therapy for airways diseases and are almost universally prescribed for patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Very few studies have evaluated the efficacy of these commonly used therapies during acute disease exacerbations which are frequently triggered by viral infection. In this edition of Clinical Science, Donovan et al. assess the ex vivo effects of the most commonly used short-acting β2-agonist salbutamol on small airway reactivity using precision cut lung slices (PCLS) from a mouse model of virus-induced exacerbation of COPD. They demonstrate that combined challenge with cigarette smoke and influenza infection in mice markedly impairs salbutamol-mediated airway relaxation. The findings of the present study suggest that cigarette smoke and respiratory virus infection may intefere with the ability of commonly prescribed therapies to effectively bronchodilate the airways.

scholarly journals Impact of Changes in Infection Control Measures on the Dynamics of COVID-19 Infections in Schools and Pre-schools

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Sombetzki ◽  
Petra Lücker ◽  
Manja Ehmke ◽  
Sabrina Bock ◽  
Martina Littmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Regression Model ◽  
Multivariate Regression ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Multivariate Model ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Index Cases

Introduction: With the increased emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, the impact on schools and preschools remains a matter of debate. To ensure that schools and preschools are kept open safely, the identification of factors influencing the extent of outbreaks is of importance.Aim: To monitor dynamics of COVID-19 infections in schools and preschools and identify factors influencing the extent of outbreaks.Methods: In this prospective observational study we analyzed routine surveillance data of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany, from calendar week (CW) 32, 2020 to CW19, 2021 regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection events in schools and preschools considering changes in infection control measures over time. A multivariate linear regression model was fitted to evaluate factors influencing the number of students, teachers and staff tested positive following index cases in schools and preschools. Due to an existing multicollinearity in the common multivariate regression model between the variables “face mask obligation for children” and “face mask obligation for adults”, two further separate regression models were set up (Multivariate Model Adults and Multivariate Model Children).Results: We observed a significant increase in secondary cases in preschools in the first quarter of 2021 (CW8 to CW15, 2021), and simultaneously a decrease in secondary cases in schools. In multivariate regression analysis, the strongest predictor of the extent of the outbreaks was the teacher/ caregiver mask obligation (B = −1.9; 95% CI: −2.9 to −1.0; p &lt; 0.001). Furthermore, adult index cases (adult only or child+adult combinations) increased the likelihood of secondary cases (B = 1.3; 95% CI: 0.9 to 1.8; p &lt; 0.001). The face mask obligation for children also showed a significant reduction in the number of secondary cases (B = −0.6; 95% CI: −0.9 to −0.2; p = 0.004.Conclusion: The present study indicates that outbreak events at schools and preschools are effectively contained by an obligation for adults and children to wear face masks.

scholarly journals Facts and prevailing myths on COVID-19 among the general public, India: a cross-sectional survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 2465
Author(s):  
Keval Singh Meena ◽  
Saugandhika P. Nambiar ◽  
Yogita Kumari ◽  
Hepsi Bai Joseph ◽  
Asha P. Shetty
Keyword(s):  
General Public ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Sudden Increase ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Preventive Practices ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Treatment And Prevention

Background: COVID-19 is not a new disease for this world, but it shows alarming effects globally, and its sudden increase in incidence and spread is causing misperception and fear among the general population. The aim of this study was to assess the myths about COVID-19 among the general public, India.Methods: Cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenient sampling technique to assess the myths on COVID-19 among 367 general public, India. The material used to collect the data was sociodemographic proforma and a structured questionnaire with 20 dichotomous questions with ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ option covering the transmission treatment and prevention myths on COVID-19. Data were collected through an online platform using Google forms and analyzed using R software.Results: The study identified six top myths on COVID-19. Taking a hot bath prevents coronavirus infection (93.5%), thermal scanners fail to detect COVID-19 (59.7%), prolonged use of face mask prevents COVID-19air entry (42.5%), houseflies transmit COVID-19 disease from one person to other (33.8%), mosquito bite transmits coronavirus (32.4%), and only older people and children are more susceptible to COVID-19 (30.8%).Conclusions: Myths were existed regarding COVID-19 due to lack of awareness. Awareness activities and strategies should be encouraged to reach all possible communication mean to erase the emerging myths. Besides, awareness should be enhanced by mass media or another portal in-order to follow the evidence-based preventive practices, including social distancing, cough and mask etiquette, hand hygiene, and other infection control measures to protect everyone from infection.

scholarly journals Increased exhalation of hydrogen peroxide in healthy subjects following cigarette consumption

2000 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 93-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Baltazar Guatura ◽  
José Antônio Baddini Martinez ◽  
Patricia Cincotto dos Santos Bueno ◽  
Manuel Lopes dos Santos
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Peroxide ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Pure Ethanol ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Cigarette Smokers ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Current Cigarette

CONTEXT: Increased hydrogen peroxide has been described in the expired breath condensate (H2O2-E) of several lung conditions, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. This technique has been advocated as being a simple method for documenting airway inflammation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate H2O2-E in healthy cigarette smokers, and to determine the acute effects of the consumption of one cigarette on H2O2-E levels. TYPE OF STUDY: Prospective, controlled trial. SETTING: A pulmonary function laboratory in a University Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Two groups of healthy volunteers: individuals who had never smoked (NS; n=10; 4 men; age = 30.6 ± 6.2 years) and current cigarette smokers (S; n=12; 7 men; age = 38.7 ± 9.8). None of the volunteers had respiratory symptoms and all showed normal spirometric tests. INTERVENTION: Expired air was collected from all volunteers through a face mask and a plastic collecting system leading into a flask with dry ice and pure ethanol. Samples from the group S were collected twice, before and half an hour after the combustion of one cigarette. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Expired hydrogen peroxide using the Gallati and Pracht method. RESULTS: The S and NS groups showed comparable levels of H2O2-E at basal conditions [NS = 0.74 muM (DP 0.24) vs. S = 0.75 muM (DP 0.31)]. The smokers showed a significant increase in H2O2-E levels half an hour after the consumption of only one cigarette [0.75 muM (DP 0.31) vs. 0.95 muM (DP 0.22)]. CONCLUSION: The present results are consistent with the concept that smokers increase oxidative stress with elevated production of reactive oxygen species, contributing to the development of smoking-related disorders.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document