scholarly journals Keep your droplets to yourself: Universal use of face masks along with social distancing

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-123
Author(s):  
Helena Carvalho ◽  
Daniel Contaifer Jr ◽  
Renata N. Aranha ◽  
Juliana A. De Matos
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Control Mechanism ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
World Health ◽  
Source Control ◽  
The World ◽  
Viral Respiratory Infections ◽  
Viral Respiratory

Introduction: As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses aroundthe world, the universal use of face masks imposes itself as ameasure to mitigate the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and iscurrently recommended by the World Health Organization.However, its effectiveness as a method of preventing COVID-19 is still controversial. Objective: To review the literatureon the universal use of facial masks, including fabric ones, andtheir recommendations for use. Methods: Narrative reviewof published studies on the topic. Results: Face masks act predominantlyas a source control mechanism, as they capturethe droplets expelled by the user when speaking, coughingor sneezing, protecting other people and the environmentfrom contamination by potentially infecting droplets. Evidenceof the effectiveness of its universal use as a method ofmitigating epidemics of viral respiratory infections is derivedfrom experimental studies and mathematical models. Properuse of facial masks is essential to ensure their effectivenessand prevent damage, and includes covering the nose, mouthand chin, washing the fabric masks with soap and water afteruse and hand hygiene several times a day, especially whenhandling the mask. Conclusions: The universal use of facialmasks in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is justified,especially considering the occurrence of virus transmissionin the pre-symptomatic period, and should be adopted inconjunction with other measures such as adequate socialdistance and hygiene from the hands, following the motto“I protect you and you protect me”.

Bacteriophages: A Possible Choice for Treatment of Viral Respiratory Infections and COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faezeh Abbaszadeh ◽  
Narges Eslami ◽  
Parisa Shiri Aghbash ◽  
Hamed Ebrahimzadeh Leylabadlo ◽  
Hossein Bannazadeh Baghi
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infections ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Specific Antibodies ◽  
The World ◽  
Microbial Infections ◽  
Viral Respiratory Infections ◽  
Display Technique ◽  
Viral Respiratory

: Viral respiratory infections are a leading cause of illness and mortality in all age groups worldwide. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread throughout the world, igniting the twenty-first century’s deadliest pandemic. Research has shown that phages, which are bacterial viruses, can help treat viral infections with the effect on the immune system and their antiviral activity. Phages have specific activity and affect only the target without any side effects on other parts of the human body. Human phage-related diseases have not been reported yet; therefore, phages can be a very safe treatment, especially in many viral infections. The results of clinical studies have a promising future regarding the use of phages. It is possible that the phages display technique aided in the production of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies against its viral protein, which prevented the virus from binding or replicating and preventing secondary microbial infections, which have been linked to many patient deaths. Furthermore, an effective antiviral vaccine can be produced by using the same technique. Given the growing number of coronaviruses cases around the world, in the present paper, we review the possible mechanisms of phages against the COVID-19 disease and the method that may be a solution to eliminate the virus.

scholarly journals Microbiota Modulating Nutritional Approaches to Countering the Effects of Viral Respiratory Infections Including SARS-CoV-2 through Promoting Metabolic and Immune Fitness with Probiotics and Plant Bioactives

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 921 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanvi Shinde ◽  
Philip M Hansbro ◽  
Sukhwinder Singh Sohal ◽  
Peter Dingle ◽  
Rajaraman Eri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽  
Mechanistic Study ◽  
Time Lags ◽  
Immune Functions ◽  
Viral Respiratory Infections ◽  
Viral Respiratory

Viral respiratory infections (VRIs) can spread quickly and cause enormous morbidity and mortality worldwide. These events pose serious threats to public health due to time lags in developing vaccines to activate the acquired immune system. The high variability of people’s symptomatic responses to viral infections, as illustrated in the current COVID-19 pandemic, indicates the potential to moderate the severity of morbidity from VRIs. Growing evidence supports roles for probiotic bacteria (PB) and prebiotic dietary fiber (DF) and other plant nutritional bioactives in modulating immune functions. While human studies help to understand the epidemiology and immunopathology of VRIs, the chaotic nature of viral transmissions makes it difficult to undertake mechanistic study where the pre-conditioning of the metabolic and immune system could be beneficial. However, recent experimental studies have significantly enhanced our understanding of how PB and DF, along with plant bioactives, can significantly modulate innate and acquired immunity responses to VRIs. Synbiotic combinations of PB and DF potentiate increased benefits primarily through augmenting the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as butyrate. These and specific plant polyphenolics help to regulate immune responses to both restrain VRIs and temper the neutrophil response that can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This review highlights the current understanding of the potential impact of targeted nutritional strategies in setting a balanced immune tone for viral clearance and reinforcing homeostasis. This knowledge may guide the development of public health tactics and the application of functional foods with PB and DF components as a nutritional approach to support countering VRI morbidity.

scholarly journals DYNAMICS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMICS: GLOBAL PATTERN AND BETWEEN COUNTRIES VARIATIONS

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Krywyk ◽  
Walther Oettgen ◽  
Marc Messier ◽  
Matthieu Mulot ◽  
Laurent Toubiana
Keyword(s):  
Data Science ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Late Phase ◽  
Science Methods ◽  
Global Pattern ◽  
Expansion Phase ◽  
The World ◽  
Sporadic Cases ◽  
Viral Respiratory Infections ◽  
Viral Respiratory

The COVID-19 pandemic affected 203 countries between December 2019 and July 2020. The early epidemic "wave" affected countries which now report a few sporadic cases, achieving a stable late phase of the epidemic. Other countries are beginning their epidemic expansion phase. The objective of our study is to characterize the dynamics of the COVID-19 spread. Data science methods were applied to pandemic, focusing on the daily fatality in 24 countries with more than 2,000 deaths, our analysis kin the end retaining 14 countries that have completed a full cycle. The analysis demonstrates a COVID-19 dynamic similar in these studied countries. This 3-phase dynamic is like that of common viral respiratory infections. This pattern, however, shows variability and therefore specificity which the method categorizes into clusters of "differentiated epidemic patterns". Among the 5 detected clusters, 2 main ones regroup 11 of these countries, representing 65% of the world deaths (as of June 24, 2020). The pattern seems common to a very large number of countries, and congruent with that of epidemics of other respiratory syndromes, opens the hypothesis that the COVID-19 pandemic would have developed its "natural history" by spreading spontaneously despite the measures taken to contain it. The diversity highlighted by the classification into "formal clusters" suggests explanations involving the notion of demographic and geographic epicenters.

scholarly journals Nonpharmacological interventions to reduce respiratory viral transmission: an evidence-based review with recommendations

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
pp. 0-0
Author(s):  
E. Yuen ◽  
J. Fried ◽  
C. Salvador ◽  
D.A. Gudis ◽  
R.J. Schlosser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Viral Transmission ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Viral Respiratory Infections ◽  
Viral Respiratory

BACKGROUND: Viral respiratory infections are a leading cause of worldwide mortality and exert the potential to cause global socioeconomic crises. However, inexpensive, efficacious, and rapidly deployable strategies to reduce viral transmission are increasingly important in the setting of an ongoing pandemic, though not entirely understood. This article provides a comprehensive review of commonly employed nonpharmacological interventions to interrupt viral spread and provides evidence-based recommendations for their use. METHODOLOGY: A systematic review of three databases was performed. Studies with defined endpoints of subjects receiving one of five interventions (nasal washing, gargling, personal protective equipment (PPE), social distancing, and hand hygiene) were included. An evidence-based review of the highest level of evidence, with recommendations, was created in accordance with a previously described, rigorous, iterative process. RESULTS: Fifty-four primary studies were included. The most commonly studied intervention was hand hygiene, followed by PPE, gargling, saline nasal washing, and social distancing. CONCLUSIONS: Mask use and hand hygiene are strong recommendations for prevention of viral transmission. Donning gloves, gowns, and eye protection are a recommendation in healthcare settings. Saline nasal washing and gargling are options in selected populations. Although an aggregate level of evidence is not provided, the authors recommend social distancing.

scholarly journals The lung–gut axis during viral respiratory infections: the impact of gut dysbiosis on secondary disease outcomes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentin Sencio ◽  
Marina Gomes Machado ◽  
François Trottein
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Disease Outcomes ◽  
And Function ◽  
Viral Respiratory Infections ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Viral Respiratory

AbstractBacteria that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract are essential for good health. The gut microbiota has a critical role in pulmonary immunity and host’s defense against viral respiratory infections. The gut microbiota’s composition and function can be profoundly affected in many disease settings, including acute infections, and these changes can aggravate the severity of the disease. Here, we discuss mechanisms by which the gut microbiota arms the lung to control viral respiratory infections. We summarize the impact of viral respiratory infections on the gut microbiota and discuss the potential mechanisms leading to alterations of gut microbiota’s composition and functions. We also discuss the effects of gut microbial imbalance on disease outcomes, including gastrointestinal disorders and secondary bacterial infections. Lastly, we discuss the potential role of the lung–gut axis in coronavirus disease 2019.

scholarly journals COVID-19 mitigation strategies were associated with decreases in other respiratory virus infections

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinha Pranay ◽  
Katherine Reifler ◽  
Michael Rossi ◽  
Manish Sagar
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Virus ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Respiratory Viruses ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Viral Respiratory Infections ◽  
Respiratory Virus Infections ◽  
Viral Respiratory

Abstract Detection of diverse respiratory viruses in Boston was around 80% lower after practices were instituted to limit COVID-19 spread compared to the same time period during the previous five years. Continuing the strategies that lower COVID-19 dissemination may be useful in decreasing the incidence of other viral respiratory infections.

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