Influenza and rhinovirus infections among health-care workers.
OBJECTIVE
Health-care workers (HCWs) are at higher risk of acquisition and transmission of respiratory virus infections. Nosocomial transmission of influenza has been documented but whether this is so for other respiratory viruses has not been assessed.


METHODS
Epidemiological, clinical and viral laboratory surveillance was carried out on HCWs presenting with acute respiratory infection in a university hospital.


RESULTS
Over a 2-year period, 203 subjects were recruited: rhinovirus was the most frequently detected virus (37.7% in flu negative samples) and influenza A/B was positive in only 12.3% of subjects. Only 19.7% of HCWs were immunized against influenza. High detection of rhinovirus occurred even during the peak of the influenza season and half of the infected subjects reported an influenza-like illness.


CONCLUSIONS
Rhinovirus infection occurred frequently in this study population and probably contributes to influenza misdiagnosis. Educational interventions about different viruses causing respiratory symptoms and an increase in standards of infection control besides influenza immunization among HCWs is needed.
Bellei
Nancy
N
Clinical Virology Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Unit of Sao Paulo Hospital, Sao Paulo Federal University, Sao Paulo, Brazil. nbellei@uol.com.br
Carraro
Emerson
E
Perosa
Ana Helena Sitta
AH
Benfica
Daniela
D
Granato
Celso Fransisco Hernandes
CF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003139:Common Cold / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012229:Rhinovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012307:Risk Factors
D012367:RNA, Viral