Disinfection measures in the prevention of influenza and ARVI
Дезинфекционные мероприятия в профилактике гриппа и ОРВИ 06.12.2019

Influenza is characterized by an acute onset of the disease with a sharp rise in temperature to 38–40 °C, a dry cough or sore throat and symptoms of general intoxication such as chills, muscle pain, and headache. Severe influenza is accompanied by involvement of the lower respiratory tract in the pathological process with the development of pneumonia, which may be accompanied by signs of respiratory failure: shortness of breath or difficulty breathing at rest, cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle. Complications of influenza are pulmonary edema, vascular collapse, cerebral edema, hemorrhagic syndrome, and secondary bacterial infections.

Disinfection measures are of utmost importance in preventing the spread of influenza and ARVI. Even during the period of preparation for the epidemic rise in the incidence of respiratory viral infections, medical, children's educational and health organizations, and social security organizations must create an irreducible supply of disinfectants and skin antiseptics with virucidal activity.

As is known, pathogens of respiratory infections can persist in indoor air for quite a long time (from 2 to 9 hours). In this regard, in outbreaks of influenza and ARVI, as well as in crowded places during the period of an epidemic rise in morbidity, air ventilation and disinfection should be carried out.

The serviceability, efficiency and cleanliness of ventilation systems and air ducts in residential and public buildings also plays an important role. A dirty ventilation system is an excellent breeding ground for the development of viruses, bacteria and other various pathogenic microflora.

Indoor surfaces, furniture, equipment, medical instruments, care and personal hygiene items, toys, and utensils can also be factors in the transmission of respiratory viral infections. Influenza viruses can survive on metal objects and plastic for 24–48 hours, and on glass surfaces for up to 10 days, and as the relative humidity drops, the survival time of the viruses increases.

Wet cleaning using disinfectants should be carried out at least twice a day, and also as needed. Care items, instruments, and personal hygiene products are disinfected by immersion after each use. Linen, workwear, and cleaning equipment are disinfected by soaking them in working solutions of disinfectants; after the end of the exposure, they are rinsed and washed. The dishes are freed from food debris and immersed in a disinfectant solution, after which they are washed with running water using a brush or ruff for the time specified in the instructions for use of a particular product. The thickness of the layer of the working disinfectant solution over the objects and materials to be disinfected must be at least 1 cm.

In outbreaks of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections, single-use personal respiratory protection equipment (masks, respirators) is actively used. In this regard, containers with disinfectant solutions for their treatment should be placed in common areas of medical and other organizations. All containers with working solutions of disinfectants must be equipped with tight-fitting lids, have clear inscriptions or labels indicating the product used, its concentration, purpose, preparation date, and expiration date of the solution.

When choosing disinfectants for work in areas of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections, you should first of all pay attention to their composition and spectrum of antimicrobial activity. The drugs must have a pronounced virucidal effect; this information must be reflected in the instructions for use.

During an epidemic of influenza and ARVI, close attention should be paid to the treatment and disinfection of hands, which can also serve as a factor in the transmission and spread of infection. When treating your hands, you should choose antiseptics and soaps with antibacterial ingredients.

A competent approach to carrying out preventive and anti-epidemic measures in medical, children's educational and health organizations, and social welfare organizations during the seasonal rise in incidence significantly contributes to curbing the spread of respiratory viral infections.

Director of
the Branch of the RSE on the PVC "National Center of Expertise"
Disinfection Center for the North Kazakhstan Region
P.A. Petushkov