title: Hand protection against viral pathogens.
abstract: In today's health care setting, being either a hospitalised patient or a health care worker carries some degree of risk. One significant risk is potential exposure to viruses, bacteria and/or antibiotic-resistant organisms which may be transmitted from the hands of workers or by worker contact with infected patients. The risk of transmission by these pathogens is determined by three main factors: The nature and frequency of contact with blood, body fluids or infectious material The inoculum load and risk of transmission after a single exposure to the pathogen The prevalence of infected, susceptible patients or health care workers. During the past few years, occupational health standards and universal infection control guidelines were enacted to minimise these exposure events. In addition to common sense infection control practices, the new regulations require the use of engineering controls and personal protective equipment to alleviate the chance of personal contact with potentially infectious material.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Fay
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017575:Gloves, Protective; D006225:Hand / Q000382:microbiology*; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*