ST. JAMES HEALTHCARE DECEMBER 2012 INFECTION PREVENTION NEWSLETTER INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Norovirus in Healthcare Settings The Impacts of Unsafe Medical Injections in the U.S. Preparing Your Skin Before Surgery: Do s and Don t s Shingles Vaccination: What You Need to Know 1 2 3 4 5 Norovirus in Healthcare Settings General Information about Norovirus Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause gastroenteritis in people. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines, causing an acute onset of severe vomiting and diarrhea. Norovirus illness is usually brief in people who are otherwise healthy. Young children, the elderly, and people with other medical illnesses are most at risk for more severe or prolonged infection. Like all viral infections, noroviruses are not affected by treatment with antibiotics. Norovirus infections spread very rapidly. Healthcare facilities and other institutional settings (e.g., daycare centers, schools, etc.) are particularly at-risk for outbreaks because of increased person-toperson contact. Symptoms of Norovirus The symptoms of norovirus illness usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Sometimes people also have a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. People may suddenly feel very sick and vomit frequently or have several episodes of diarrhea, but most people get better within 1 or 2 days and they have no long-term health effects related to their illness. Diarrhea is more common in children and vomiting is more common in adults. In some cases, people are unable to drink enough liquids to replace the liquids they lost because of frequent vomiting and diarrhea. This is called dehydration the loss of a great deal of water from their body. Symptoms of dehydration include decreased urination, dry mouth and throat, and dizziness when standing up.
INFECTION PREVENTION Page 2 Transmission of Norovirus Transmission of Norovirus Noroviruses are found in the feces and vomit of infected people. This virus is very contagious and can spread rapidly throughout healthcare facilities. People can become infected with the virus in several ways: Having direct contact with another person who is infected (a healthcare worker, visitor, or another patient) Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus, and then touching your mouth or other food items Prevention of Norovirus In a healthcare facility, patients with suspected norovirus may be placed in private rooms or share rooms with other patients with the same infection. Additional prevention measures in healthcare facilities can decrease the chance of coming in contact with noroviruses: Follow hand-hygiene guidelines, and carefully washing of hands with soap and water after contact with patients with norovirus infection Use gowns and gloves when in contact with, or caring for patients who are symptomatic with norovirus Routinely clean and disinfect high touch patient surfaces and equipment with an Environmental Protection Agency-approved product with a label claim for norovirus Remove and wash contaminated clothing or linens Healthcare workers who have symptoms consistent with norovirus should be excluded from work
INFECTION PREVENTION Page 3 The Impacts of Unsafe Medical Injections in the U.S.
INFECTION PREVENTION Page 4 Preparing Your Skin Before Surgery: Do s and Don ts F ANTIBIOTICS AND HOSPITAL LENGTH OF STAY. UNDE R
INFECTION PREVENTION Page 5 Preparing Your Skin Before Surgery
INFECTION PREVENTION Page 6 Shingles Vaccination: What You Need to Know The shingles vaccine is specifically designed to protect people against shingles and will not protect people against other forms of herpes, such as genital herpes. The shingles vaccine is not recommended to treat active shingles or post-herpetic neuralgia (pain after the rash is gone) once it develops. In a clinical trial involving thousands of adults 60 years old or older, Zostavax reduced the risk of shingles by about half (51%) and the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia by 67%. While the vaccine was most effective in people 60-69 years old it also provided some protection for older groups. Research suggests that the shingles vaccine is effective for at least six years, but may last much longer. Ongoing studies are being conducted to determine exactly how long the vaccine protects against shingles. Anyone 60 years of age or older should get the shingles vaccine, regardless of whether they recall having had chickenpox or not. Studies show that more than 99% of Americans ages 40 and older have had chickenpox, even if they don t remember getting the disease. Shingles vaccine is available in pharmacies and doctor's offices. Talk with your healthcare professional if you have questions about shingles vaccine. At this time, CDC does not have a recommendation for routine use of shingles vaccine in persons 50 through 59 years old. However, the vaccine is approved by FDA for people in this age group. Even if you have had shingles, you can still receive the shingles vaccine to help prevent future occurrences of the disease. There is no specific time that you must wait after having shingles before receiving the shingles vaccine. The decision on when to get vaccinated should be made with your health care provider. Generally, a person should make sure that the shingles rash has disappeared before getting vaccinated. Some people should NOT get shingles vaccine. A person who has ever had a life-threatening or severe allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, or any other component of shingles vaccine. Tell your doctor if you have any severe allergies. A person who has a weakened immune system because of o HIV/AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system, o treatment with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids, o cancer treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy, o cancer affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system, such as leukemia or lymphoma. Women who are or might be pregnant *The Zostavax vaccine for shingles is not available through your Employee Health Office. You would need to address with your PCP.*