Research suggests that the air we breathe is teeming with over 1,800 different types of bacteria, spores and other pathogens. Most of these microbes are completely harmless, and don’t have any impact on our health at all. However, there are pathogens that professionals need to be aware of, such as viruses.
What are enveloped and non-enveloped viruses?
There are many different classes of virus in our world, all of which have their own unique characteristics. One of the most well-known distinctions between virus types is whether they are enveloped or non-enveloped.
Enveloped viruses feature an outer protective lipid membrane as part of their structure, and are typically less virulent than non-enveloped viruses. This isn’t to mean that they aren’t a concern, however, and some examples are influenza, HIV and human coronaviruses.
Non-enveloped viruses differ in structure, and while they don’t have a lipid membrane, they may have other protective defences. This structure actually ensures they are more infectious. Additionally, non-enveloped viruses have been found to be more resilient against high temperatures, extreme pH and generic cleaning solutions.
Norovirus and rhinovirus (the common cold) are non-enveloped viruses. While these typically lead to mild illnesses, they may also result in serious complications, especially among the most vulnerable.
Why are viruses such a concern?
What makes viruses such a challenge in healthcare settings is their resilience and ability to spread. Depending on their structure, they may quickly infect multiple individuals, making patients sick and spreading among members of staff, which could even lead to downtime for the practice if staff are unable to work.
Plus, their ability to survive against infection control solutions is concerning. For instance, many people have integrated hand sanitiser stations into their practices, but did you know that hand sanitiser can be ineffective against viruses such as norovirus if it doesn’t have the right ingredients? As such, it’s important to consider the cleaning products and other hygiene solutions that you’re using in your practice.
What to look for in cleaning solutions
One good place to start is to look at how effective products are at deactivating or eliminating pathogens. Ideally, you want a product with a kill rate of at least 99.99%.
You should also think about how versatile your cleaning solutions are. Viruses are adaptable, and their individual structures dictate how long they survive outside the body. For instance, HIV loses its ability to infect others typically within a few hours, whereas norovirus can linger and remain infectious on surfaces for months.
You also need to consider hand hygiene and how this impacts cross contamination possibilities. One trusted way to enhance hand hygiene in every setting is to introduce a high-quality hand sanitiser.
Help to ensure everyone is protected against pathogens with UltraProtect™ Hand Sanitiser from Initial Medical. This solution removes 99.99% of pathogens and has been especially formulated to be kind to the skin, making it ideal for repeated use. As an added benefit, UltraProtect™ Hand Sanitiser offers eight hours of protection.
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