Cold and flu season, which typically ranges from October to May in the U.S., presents a challenging time for hospitals. Already full of sick and recovering patients, hospitals are the perfect breeding ground for viral rhinitis, aka "the common cold." Once the illness is contracted, it is highly contagious and easily transmitted through medical linens, commonly used areas of the hospital, and hospital equipment. In patients with compromised immune systems, the rhinovirus can cause serious secondary infections that may linger for weeks or months. It can also aggravate existing chronic health conditions, such as asthma, allergies, diabetes and heart disease.
Rhinovirus and How it Spreads
There are more than 200 different types of viruses that cause the common cold. Rhinoviruses are the most prevalent sources, causing up to 40 percent of colds. Coronaviruses are responsible for roughly 20 percent, and respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) cause up to 10 percent of colds. All of these viruses cause infection of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the nose, throat and sinuses.
Viral rhinitis is frequently acquired through direct contact with infected droplets projected from the nose or mouth through sneezing and coughing. Hand-to-hand contact is another easy infection route, where virus particles are passed from one person's hand to another. From there, the virus can be transported through rubbing your eyes or scratching your nose.
The cold virus is largely just a painful nuisance for a healthy individual, with many people catching a few colds each year. They typically include nasal congestion, sore throat, sneezing and coughing. These symptoms can last for up to two weeks. While colds are unpleasant, they are typically treatable at home with some rest, increased fluids and over-the-counter medication for symptoms. But for a person with an already compromised immune system, a common cold can have disastrous health complications.
What Colds Can Do
Common colds, though basically harmless for people in good health, can be dangerous foundations for several serious infections in patients with suppressed immune systems. If someone is recovering from chemotherapy or major surgery, a cold can last much longer than normal. Aside from displaying more severe symptoms and lingering longer than usual, the rhinovirus in an already immuno-deficient person can cause acute ear infections, sinusitis and other secondary infections, such as bronchitis, strep throat and pneumonia.
For people with heart disease, cold complications can be especially dangerous. Pneumonia and other lung infections make the weakened heart work even harder. In these situations, it is difficult to take in oxygen efficiently. This creates another demand on the heart to pump oxygenated blood throughout the body.
How to Reduce Infection
Good hygiene, proper hand washing and frequent disinfecting of communal surfaces and equipment are helpful in the prevention of spreading colds. But another common culprit for spreading infection among hospital staff - as well as patients - is contaminated hospital linens. Washing bedding and towels in hot water with regular detergent is not enough to kill off many types of viruses. One of best ways to prevent common cold outbreaks is using a professional hospital laundry service. They are equipped to effectively sanitize and launder infected linens and adhere to strict guidelines in doing so. Using only EPA-registered laundry disinfectant and washing in water temperatures above 160°F are some of the precautions they take to prevent the spread of disease. These efforts, when coupled with thorough disinfecting of equipment and highly trafficked surfaces, greatly reduce germs that are prevalent in hospitals.