The novel (new) coronavirus (2019-nCoV), discovered in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China in late 2019, has been in in the news and serves as yet another reminder as to the importance of infection control in the audiology clinic. For confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV, symptoms can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Much is unknown about how the new 2019-nCoV spreads and current knowledge is based on previous forms of coronavirus outbreaks like MERS and SARS. The transmission is mainly person-to-person within close contact (within approximately 6 feet) mainly via respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes and the droplets land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly inhaled into the lungs. It’s remains unclear whether a person can get 2019-nCoV by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes (CDC, 2020a).
In the absence of a 2019-nCoV vaccine, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid close contact with people who are sick. However, as a reminder, CDC (2020b) always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using facemask.
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear facemask to protect themselves from respiratory viruses, including 2019-nCoV.
- Facemask should be used by people who show symptoms of 2019-nCoV, in order to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
As healthcare workers, audiologists must control the potential spread of disease in patient-care environments by adhering to standard precautions when caring for patients, regardless of their presumed diagnosis. For a quick refresher on infection control basics, check out my previous blog posts Five Key Points of Infection Control, Wash Your Hands!, and Get Your Audiology Practice Under Control. Also, click the image below for Infection Control Basics from the Oaktree Products infection control resource page.
