-
Health Advisory: Evaluating and Managing Patients Exposed to Birds and Other Animals (Cattle) Infected with Avian Influenza A Viruses of Public Health Concern
Requested Actions Background Avian influenza A viruses circulate among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species to cause disease referred to as avian influenza. Some avian influenza A viruses have caused rare, sporadic infections in people, resulting in human illness ranging from mild to severe respiratory disease. People who are…
-
Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment Guidelines
High-Priority Candidates for Latent Treatment Infection (LTBI) Treatment Positive QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT) (>0.35 IU) Tuberculosis Skin Test (TST) ≥5 mm HIV-positive people. Recent contacts of person with infectious tuberculosis (TB). People with fibrotic changes on chest x-ray (CXR) suggestive of previous TB; or inadequate treatment. People with organ transplants or immunosuppression therapy. TST ≥10 mm…
-
Infection Control Guidelines
Standard Precaution When to Use Standard Precautions During all patient encounters—prevents the spread of bloodborne pathogens such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Reason to Use Standard Precautions Protects the healthcare worker from patient’s potentially contaminated body fluids and prevents the spread of disease to others. Components of Standard Precautions Wash hands before and…
-
Controlling Norovirus
You may hear norovirus called “the stomach flu.” Some viral illnesses that cause vomiting and diarrhea are caused by norovirus. You can become infected with norovirus many times in your life. Norovirus Is very contagious. Norovirus can spread quickly in places like daycare centers, nursing homes, schools, restaurants and cruise ships. Causes diarrhea and vomiting,…
-
Tdap and Pregnancy
Pertussis is a serious disease for young infants. Pertussis epidemics occur in the United States every three to five years. Even though we have a vaccine, pertussis is a common infectious disease. There are 10,000 to 40,000 cases and 10 to 20 deaths per year.[1] Pertussis is most serious in infants younger than six months.…
-
Chlamydia Diagnosis Follow-up
Provider Checklist Patient treatment for chlamydia is not complete without partner treatment. After receiving a positive chlamydia result, check the following steps to help stop the spread of chlamydia and to protect your patient from reinfection: Provide patient education on essential points: Take medications as prescribed. Do not have sex for seven days after treatment,…
-
Hand Hygiene In Healthcare Settings
What is hand hygiene? Hand hygiene refers to the use of hand washing with soap and water or alcohol hand sanitizer (60% alcohol or greater) in order to reduce infection rates, reduce transmission of antimicrobial resistant organisms and stop outbreaks of communicable disease. Why is hand hygiene important? When should I use hand hygiene? How…
-
Environmental Cleaning
Quick Reference: Environmental Cleaning How to clean equipment and surfaces, when to clean, what to use Visibly Soiled surfaces: Scrub the surface with a cleaner/detergent or a disinfectant that contains a cleaner/detergent. Wear gloves! May need to rinse (check label). Will NOT need to rinse if using a wipe that contains both a detergent and…
-
Bloodborne Pathogens
Post Exposure Prophylaxis and Training Resources National Clinicians’ Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEPline) Hotline (888) HIV-4911 Exposure to bloodborne pathogens can present serious risks to healthcare providers. Prompt post-exposure treatment for HIV and hepatitis B virus can be effective, but because each exposure case is unique, determining who should receive prophylaxis and which drugs are most appropriate…
-
Tuberculosis FAQ
Tuberculosis Screening Tests Tuberculosis skin test (TST) (formerly known as PPD) Tubersol or Aplisol can be purchased through your medical supply chain. Ten or 50 dose vials, once opened must be used within 28 days. Requires skill to apply intradermally and read results properly. Patient must have two office visits. Sensitive test and inexpensive. See…
-
Tuberculosis Sputum Specimens
Suspicion of Active Tuberculosis Notify the Health Department of suspected active tuberculosis or positive AFB (acid-fast bacilli) smears or cultures. Patients Without Insurance Contact the Health Department. They may contact the patient and arrange to drop off and pick up sputum collection cups. Testing will be done at the Washington State Public Health Lab (PHL)…