Abstract
Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are more exposed to influenza infection, and the influenza vaccination is recommended each year, to reduce the risk of influenza infection and prevent influenza transmission. This study is a cross-sectional study and the objectives were to determine the rate of influenza virus infection among HCWs in the 2019–2020 influenza season. Methods: Between January and March 2020, a survey was carried out in 2 hospitals and 15 primary health-care settings (PHCS) in Wroclaw (Poland). The novel point-of-care testing Flu SensDx device was used, which detects the M1 protein of the influenza virus using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy from biological material (throat/nasal swabs). Results: A total of 150 samples were collected. The majority of participating HCWs by profession were 83 physicians (55.3%) and half (51.3%) of the participating HCWs worked in PHCS. Influenza vaccination coverage was 61.3% in 2019–2020 and 46.0% in the 2018–2019 season for all participants. Of the participating HCWs, 44.0% were positive tested by the Flu SensDx device. There were no statistically significant differences among the positive tested HCWs, their influenza immunization history, and the presence of symptoms of influenza-like illness (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Although the results of the present study suggest that influenza vaccination does not reduce the frequency of influenza virus detection by Flu SensDx testing in the HCWs participants, larger studies are needed to estimate the incidence of influenza virus infection among HCWs to understand the underlying mechanism and fine-tune policies aimed at reducing nosocomial infections.
Highlights
Influenza is an acute respiratory infection (ARI) of viral etiology, with a potentially severe and fatal course, especially for children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with chronic diseases [1]
According to the empirical data, laboratory-confirmed frequency of influenza infection among Healthcare workers (HCWs) could vary from 23.2% [5] to 29% [6]
The objective of this study was to estimate the value of the influenza virus infection ratio among participating HCWs by POCT performed by the Flu SensDx device
Summary
Influenza (flu) is an acute respiratory infection (ARI) of viral etiology, with a potentially severe and fatal course, especially for children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with chronic diseases [1]. The published data support the hypothesis that healthcare workers (HCWs) can act as a vector for the spread of influenza among hospitalized patients [2,3]. At the same time, medical personnel is more exposed to influenza infection According to the empirical data, laboratory-confirmed frequency of influenza infection among HCWs could vary from 23.2% [5] to 29% [6]. 75% [7]) admits that they perform their professional duties while having symptoms of ARI (presenteeism) [8–10]. In this way, HCWs can introduce the influenza virus and perpetuate its transmission, putting patients at risk; the phenomenon of healthcare-associated. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are more exposed to influenza infection, and the influenza vaccination is recommended each year, to reduce the risk of influenza infection and prevent influenza transmission. Influenza vaccination coverage was 61.3% in 2019–2020 and
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