Infection Control & First Aid Blog

With the number of confirmed cases rising to over 28,000, the outbreak of the Wuhan Coronavirus continues to be a topic of grave concern around the world. In the United States alone, cases have doubled in just one week, going from five to eleven confirmed cases. 

The Wuhan Coronavirus discovered first when the World Health Organization (WHO) received several reports of pneumonia resulting from unknown causes. The 2019-nCoV originated in Wuhan China and has since spread to over 23 countries. The number of confirmed cases continues to grow daily, having the most effect on populations in mainland China. Organizations around the world are working together to contain the spread of the Wuhan Coronavirus, but unfortunately, there is no clear end in sight. As the situation evolves, leaders have implemented several measures to minimize the potential spread of the Wuhan Coronavirus and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and WHO continues to monitor the situation closely. Updates on the outbreak of the Wuhan Coronavirus can be read below:  

Since the first reported case of the Wuhan Coronavirus, the outbreak has affected 14,557 people, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). While most cases of the Wuhan Coronavirus have affected populations in China, the virus has also affected people globally, including in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that there are 11 confirmed cases in the United States and 121 cases that remain pending, which they are continuing to monitor closely.   

Flu season has arrived in the US, and it is one of the most severe outbreaks in recent history. This year the dominant strain is the Influenza B strain named Victoria, and health experts are saying this could be one of the most severe flu seasons in decades. The Victoria/B strain is especially harmful towards children, and the shot is only 58% effective against this strain. These numbers are especially scary for parents whose kids are in environments like schools where germs spread rapidly. The flu has a pretty quick incubation period with an average time to symptoms of two days. 

Safetec's SaniZide Pro 1, a broad spectrum, EPA Registered surface disinfectant is effective in killing Wuhan coronavirus on hard surfaces in 1-minute.

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses in which many different strains can cause illness in humans. This illness which people can get can range from the common cold symptoms to much more severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, kidney failure, and can be seen to lead to pneumonia in many cases. Some strains which cause the common cold symptoms are very common, but some newer and more severe strains called Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV), and a brand new strain of a novel coronavirus which is unnamed yet all show more severe symptoms and aren't as common but have a much more significant impact on the people affected.

Flu season is here, and with it comes people who are unaware that their hand hygiene habits may not protect them from the influenza virus. This year the virus has been extraordinarily volatile, and deaths have increased by 65%. So far, there have been a reported 9.7 million people infected with a strain of uncommon Influenza B, a reported 87,000 have been hospitalized, and 4,800 have died. The strain is usually most common in children ages 0-4, and it hits them the hardest. Nevertheless, this year Influenza B is prevalent in most other age groups. According to the CDC, the hospitalization rate is 14.6 per 100,000 people. This strain of flu is unusual this time of year and a mismatch for the strains protected by the influenza vaccine. The CDC says that if a child is exposed to the current Victoria/B strain, there is only a 58% chance the vaccine will be effective. Hence, with a sub-par vaccine, it is crucial to maintain proper infection control techniques to minimize your risk of infection. 

The 2019-2020 flu season in the United States has been off to a fast and hard-hitting start with 6.4 million cases of Influenza already and 2,900 deaths from influenza. This season has been particularly strange since the dominant strain is Influenza B this season. Influenza B usually does not create large outbreaks like this is doing so it is very different from what anyone could’ve anticipated. 

Bang! How many times have you experienced the sensation of pain shooting through your body after stubbing your toe, burning your fingers, or a hard workout? If you are like most people, your immediate reaction is likely to rub the afflicted area to reduce the painful sensations that are coursing through your body. The reason we rub injured areas is due to a concept called Gate Control Theory.  

 Let’s face it; pain is an inevitable part of our daily lives. Often, we wake the morning after a challenging workout or other activity and must slog through our morning routines while our body complains fervently about whatever activity we did the day prior. Generally, OTC medicines like Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen reduce the swelling that constitutes soreness, yet these medicines are not necessarily the panacea they claim to be.