Publication date: Dec 09, 2024
Introduction The combination of patient illness and staff absence driven by seasonal viruses culminates in annual “winter pressures” on UK healthcare systems and has been exacerbated by COVID-19. In winter 2022/23 we ran a pilot study aiming to introduce multiplex testing to determine the incidence and burden of SARS-CoV-2, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in our cohort of UK healthcare workers (HCWs). Methods The pilot study was conducted from 28/11/2022-31/03/2023 within the SIREN prospective cohort study. Participants completed fortnightly questionnaires, capturing symptoms and sick leave, and multiplex PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2, influenza and RSV, regardless of symptoms. PCR-positivity rates by virus were calculated over time, and viruses were compared by symptoms and severity. Self-reported symptoms and associated sick leave were described. Sick leave rates were compared by vaccination status and demographics. Results 5,863 participants were included, 84.6% female, 70.3% >=45-years, and 33.4% were nurses. PCR-positivity peaked in early December for all three viruses (4.6 positives per 100 tests (95%CI 3.5, 5.7) SARS-CoV-2, 3.9 (95%CI 2.2, 5.6) influenza, 1.4 (95%CI 0.4, 2.4) RSV), declining to
| Concepts | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Conducting | Cohort |
| Influenza | Cov |
| Nurses | Covid |
| Days | |
| December | |
| Influenza | |
| Leave | |
| Medrxiv | |
| Participants | |
| Preprint | |
| Respiratory | |
| Rsv | |
| Sars | |
| Sick | |
| Winter |
Semantics
| Type | Source | Name |
|---|---|---|
| disease | MESH | COVID-19 |
| disease | MESH | influenza |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Etoperidone |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Ranitidine |
| disease | MESH | Sore throat |
| disease | MESH | infections |
| disease | MESH | Emergency |
| disease | IDO | immunosuppression |
| disease | MESH | morbidities |
| disease | MESH | viral infections |
| disease | MESH | RSV infections |
| disease | IDO | symptom |
| disease | MESH | nosocomial infections |
| disease | MESH | asymptomatic infections |
| disease | MESH | respiratory infections |
| drug | DRUGBANK | Coenzyme M |
| disease | MESH | Delta infection |
| disease | IDO | infection |
| drug | DRUGBANK | (S)-Des-Me-Ampa |
| disease | MESH | REinfection |