Cold comfort for the catarrhal child

Article Abstract:

The catarrhal child has a constantly runny nose, or persistent nasal secretions. Children have more respiratory virus infections than adults because of incomplete development of their immune systems, lack of previous exposure to viruses, and greater exposure to viruses. Childhood respiratory infections are caused by rhinovirus, coronaviruses, parainfluenza viruses, influenza viruses, adenoviruses, and enteroviruses. Respiratory syncytial viruses cause inflammation of the bronchioles in infants, and ear infections and fever-associated cold with cough, sore throat, and nasal secretions in older children. Antibodies, or immune system proteins, in the mother protect a child in the first three to six months of life, after which the child becomes more susceptible to respiratory infections, which account for 85 percent of childhood infections. The number of infections is influenced mainly by the intensity of exposure to respiratory viruses. The incidence of infections is higher among children attending preschool centers, those in an urban setting, and children of mothers who smoke. Although infections are more frequent during the winter months, parainfluenza virus and enterovirus can cause infections in the summer. Respiratory virus infections start with rhinitis, or inflammation of the nasal mucosa, followed by a clear nasal discharge, which rapidly changes in consistency to a thick, pus-associated mucus. Persistent rhinitis indicates recurrent viral infections. The nasal secretions contain many proteins, including mucous glycoproteins, albumin, immunoglobulin A (IgA), and interferon. Some cold symptoms, such as nasal stuffiness, congestion, nosebleed, and sore throat, may be caused by nasal secretory products, such as kinins and interferons. Recurrent respiratory infections may be caused by a variety of factors, such as physical abnormalities, allergy, and immune deficiency. Most children grow out of respiratory infections and treatment with cold medicines, such as antihistamines, decongestants, antibiotics, and cough suppressants should be avoided. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Physiological aspects, Demographic aspects, Respiratory tract infections, Cold (Disease) in children, Children's colds

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Handwashing and cohorting in prevention of hospital acquired infections with respiratory syncytial virus

Article Abstract:

Respiratory syncytial virus, which causes bronchiolitis (inflammation of small airways in the lungs), is easily transmitted among children and is a significant cause of illness and death. Spread of the infection within a hospital is serious because particular children in the hospital are at high risk for the infection, especially those with congenital heart disease or other chronic heart or respiratory conditions. Gowning and masking of hospital staff have been advocated as a way to minimize the spread of the infection, but handwashing appears to be very important in preventing viral transmission. The importance of handwashing has more often been emphasized in neonatal units than in general pediatric units. The effectiveness of a handwashing program in a general pediatric unit, combined with cohorting (separation of infected children from others) and education of parents, was evaluated in this study. The incidence of hospital-acquired respiratory syncytial viral infections fell by at least 66 percent, and the proportion of infants with congenital heart disease who were admitted for at least 14 days and became infected dropped from 73 percent to under 4 percent. The study suggests that a handwashing and cohorting program, similar to the one used here, effectively decreases transmission of respiratory syncytial virus. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Management, Prevention, Complications and side effects, Respiratory syncytial virus, Disease transmission, Nosocomial infections, Cross infection, Isolation (Hospital care), Patient isolation, Communicable diseases in children, Pediatric communicable diseases

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Handwashing

Article Abstract:

Good handwashing techniques are described to prevent the spread of infection. Various types of hand sanitizing products are described along with the positive effects of hospital staff compliance.

Methods

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