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Virus Protection and Prevention
'Tis the season for holiday celebrations with family and friends and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, protecting ourselves from the influenza virus. Flu season generally begins in November and continues through March, and can even extend well into spring. At the Frontline spoke with infectious disease expert Elaine Larson, PhD, professor of Epidemiology at the Mailman School and of Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Research at the School of Nursing, and director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Antimicrobial Resistance, about how the virus can spread and the best ways to protect yourself and others from contracting the flu and other viruses.
To start, can you give a little background information on viruses?
A virus is one of four major types of germs that exists in the world-the others being fungi, parasites, and bacteria. A virus is the smallest type of germ, occurs naturally, and must have a living host to survive.
Do all viruses cause illness?
Among the many types of identified viruses, not all cause illness. The influenza virus, however, can cause severe symptoms such as high fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, extreme fatigue, dry cough, and a runny nose. In extreme cases the flu can also lead to death, particularly among populations with weak immune systems, such as young children and older adults.
How does the flu spread?
Influenza is most often spread from person to person through respiratory droplets produced from a cough or sneeze. For example, if a person touches droplets on a surface such as a desk and then touches his or her nose, mouth, or eyes prior to handwashing, he or she may come down with the flu. To help stop the spread of cold and flu viruses in schools, children are now trained to cough into their elbows or shoulders.
How can people lower their risk of contracting the flu virus?
Vaccination is the best protection against the flu, especially for young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. In addition, people should avoid contact with those who are sick. If you are ill, keep your distance from others. Wash your hands often with either soap and water or alcohol-based gel sanitizers. Sanitizers are ideal since you can carry them in a pocket or purse and do not need water for them to work. Sneeze and cough into a disposable tissue rather than your hands. Finally, germs often spread from contaminated surfaces to your hands so avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless your hands are clean.
On another topic, there has been a lot of media coverage of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) outbreaks. How concerned should we be about this virus?
The most important fact about MRSA is that although a new strain is becoming more common in the community, an outbreak of MRSA is quite rare. Staphylococcus aureus lives on many people's skin and generally does not cause problems. The best defense against infection is to maintain good hygiene and always clean cuts or scrapes with soap and water or alcohol.
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