• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2021

Respiratory viruses (RVs) cause infections in hospital environments through direct contact with infected visitors. In infection control, it causes major problems of acquired infections in hospitals by respiratory viruses. The surveillance data derived from clinical laboratories are often used to properly allocate medical resources to hospitals and communities for treatment, consumables, and diagnostic product purchases in the institutions and public health sectors that provide health care. An early diagnosis is essential in infection with respiratory viruses, and methods that can be used in diagnostic methods using respiratory samples include virus culture, molecular diagnosis, and analysis. A microchip provides a new strategy for developing a more diverse and powerful technology called point-of-care testing. The importance of the respiratory system should be applied strictly to the infection control guidelines to ensure the occupational health and safety of health care workers. Evidence of clinical efficacy, including this study, is challenging the long-standing paradigm for infection propagation. Additional assistance will be needed for frequent tests to detect respiratory viruses in inpatients who have begun to show new respiratory symptoms indicating infections requiring efforts to control the infection.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.33-40
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• 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory tract infection caused by a newly emergent coronavirus, that was first recognized in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Genetic sequencing of the virus suggests that it is a beta coronavirus closely linked to the SARS virus. This disease has non-specific symptoms such as fever, dry cough, sore throat, and gastrointestinal symptoms. This virus can transmit via aerosol and need to droplet precaution to prevent spreading in public areas. Most people with COVID-19 develop only mild or uncomplicated illness. However, about 20% patients require hospitalization, oxygen supply, and intensive care. There is no currently effective treatment available for COVID-19 unresponsive to supportive care. This is review about the recently published epidemiologic, and clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of COVID-19.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.282-288
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• 2022

Facial masks have become indispensable in daily life to prevent infection and spread through respiratory droplets in the era of the corona pandemic. To understand how effective two different types of masks (i.e., KF-94 mask and dental mask) are in blocking respiratory droplets, i) we preferentially analyze wettability characteristics (e.g., contact angle and contact angle hysteresis) of filters consisting of each mask, and ii) subsequently observe the dynamic behaviors of microdroplets impacting at high velocities on the filter surfaces. Different wetting properties (i.e., hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity) are found to exhibit depending on the constituent materials and pore sizes of each filter. In addition, the pneumatic conditions for stably and uniformly dispensing microdroplets with a certain volume and impacting behaviors associated with the impacting velocity and filter type change are systematically explored. Three distinctive dynamics (i.e., no penetration, capture, and penetration) after droplet impacting are observed depending on the type of filter constituting the masks and droplet impact velocity. The present experimental results not only provide very useful information in designing of face masks for prevention of transmission of infectious respiratory diseases, but also are helpful for academic researches on droplet impacts on various porous surfaces.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.225-229
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• 2016

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a chronic infectious agent known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is transmitted in airborne particles, called droplet nuclei which was generated by cough, sneeze, shout, or sing of persons who have TB disease. Most infections of TB do not have symptoms, well known as latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). However, about 10% of LTBI progress to active disease a one or two years after infection. To investigate the LTBI rate of college students who were in contacted with TB patients, we performed chest X-ray, tuberculin skin test (TST) and Interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) to 74 college students. At a results, 65 students were showed negative and 9 students positive results at chest X-ray and 1st TST test. When confirmed the 65 students who were showed negative by 2st TST, the results showed correctly. But, 9 students who were showed positive results on chest X-ray and 1st TST by IGRA, the only 3 students (4.05%) showed positive results. In conclusion, the LTBI rate in this study showed 4.05% (3/74) and we suggest to investigate other students LTBI rate for decreasing tuberculosis.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.174-180
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• 2012

Objectives: An ambulance can be a potential source of contagious or droplet infection of a community. We estimated the prevalence of positive carriage of tuberculosis (TB), methicillin-resistant $Staphylococcus$ $aureus$ (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant $Enterococci$ (VRE) in patients transported by ambulance. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study. We enrolled all patients who visited a tertiary teaching hospital emergency department (ED). Blood, sputum, urine, body fluid, and rectal swab samples were taken from patients when they were suspected of TB, MRSA, or VRE in the ED. The patients were categorized into three groups: pre-hospital ambulance (PA) group; inter-facility ambulance (IA) group; and non-ambulance (NA) group. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a multivariable logistic regression model for the prevalence of each infection. Results: The total number of patients was 89206. Of these, 9378 (10.5%) and 4799 (5.4%) were in the PA and IA group, respectively. The prevalence of TB, MRSA, and VRE infection were 0.3%, 1.1%, and 0.3%, respectively. In the PA group, the prevalence of TB, MRSA, and VRE were 0.3%, 1.8%, and 0.4%. In the IA group, the prevalence of TB, MRSA, and VRE were 0.7%, 4.6%, and 1.5%, respectively. The adjusted ORs (95% CI) of the PA and IA compared to the NA group were 1.02 (0.69 to 1.53) and 1.83 (1.24 to 2.71) for TB, 2.24 (1.87 to 2.69) and 5.47 (4.63 to 6.46) for MRSA, 2.59 (1.78 to 3.77) and 8.90 (6.52 to 12.14) for VRE, respectively. Conclusions: A high prevalence of positive carriage of TB, MRSA, and VRE in patients transported by metropolitan ambulances was found.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.49-57
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• 2018

Purpose: The increase in patients requiring hemodialysis has resulted in an increase dialysis-associated infections risk. but there are no Renal Dialysis unit design standard meet specified safety and quality standards. Therefore, appropriate Establish standards and legal regulation is important for the provision of initial certification and maintenance of facility, equipment, and human resource quality. Methods: Literature survey on the design guideline and standards of Renal Dialysis unit design in Korea, U.S, Germany, Singapore, Hongkong, Dubai. Results: There are no established standards for facilities in dialysis units in Korea. To prevent infections in dialysis patients, necessary establish standards. Considering the domestic and overseas Health-care facilities standards, the major factors to be considered in the medical environment for Renal Dialysis Unit are as follows. First, planning to separate Clean areas(treatment area) from contaminated areas(medical waste storage area). Second, ensure sufficient space and minimum separation distance. Although there may be differences depending on the circumstances of individual institutions, renal dialysis unit consider the space to prevent droplet transmission. Third, secure infrastructure of infection prevention such as sufficient amount of hand hygiene sinks. Hand washing facilities for staff within the Unit should be readily available. Hand hygiene sinks should be located to prevent water from splashing into the treatment area. Fourth, Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for Renal Dialysis Unit is all about providing a safer environment for patients and staff. Implications: The results of this paper can be the basic data for the design of the Renal Dialysis Units and relevant regulations.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.123-125
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• 1990

문헌에 의하면 대상포진의 원인은 바이러스에 대한 세포성 면역이 저하될 때, 또는 악성종양 등으로 면역억제제 치료를 받아서 2차적으로 면역이 저하될 때 체내에 잠재해 있던 바이러스가 재활되어 발병하는 것으로 추정하고 있다. 본 저자도 이에 대하여 의견을 같이하고 있는데 노령층의 $60\~70$대 여자환자수가 압도적으로 많았다는 점과, $20\~39$세 사이의 청${\cdot}$장년층에서는 단1명의 대상자가 없다는 점뿐 아니라, 본 대상자중 11세의 소녀는 7세때 뇌종양 수술을 2차례에 걸쳐 실시한 후 면역제제를 계속적으로 사용하는 있는 점 등은 문헌의 발병원인과 상당히 일치하였다. <전파 양식> 비말 감염 (droplet infection)으로 전파되며, 수두와 달리 전염성이 높지 않다. <잠복기> 잠복해 있던 바이러스가 언제 재활할지 알 수 없으므로 불명이다. 그러나 본조사에서는 대상포진에 대한 병력을 가진 사람이 없었고, 발생 원인을 본인 자신도 모르고 있었다. <합병증> Ramsay Hunt의 증후에 의하면 합병증은 외이도의 수포, 안면신경마비, 혀의 2/3부분의 미각상실, 간혹 청각 및 평행장애를 일으킨다고 한다. <치료> 대상포진의 대증요법으로 calamine lotion Burrow solution의 wet dressing 진통제 및 cytosine arabinoside나 adenosine arabinoside와 같은 항히스타인제, 최근에는 Acyclovir가 많이 사용되고 있는 것으로 알려졌다.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 2021

Objectives: Control methods against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) aerosols have been introduced. Airborne spreading theories for SARS-CoV-2 were analyzed in this study. Methods: Control methods for airborne microorganisms were discussed. Studies on theoretical estimations for airborne spreading of SARS-CoV-2 were presented and analyzed. Analytic calculations were conducted for explaining control techniques for airborne microorganisms. Results: Control methods for SARS-CoV-2 aerosols can include physical or biological procedures. Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 aerosols and massive clustering infection cases of COVID-19 support the airborne spreading theories of SARS-CoV-2. It is necessary to consider the disadvantages of control methods for airborne microorganisms. Conclusions: A study on control methods against bioaerosols is necessary to prevent the spreading of viruses. Airborne spreading theories of SARS-CoV-2 were supported by the current evidence, but further studies are needed to confirm these theories.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.143-150
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• 2023

The global outbreak of COVID-19 has underscored the pressing need for robust infection control practices in pulmonary function laboratories (PFL). However, the existing guidelines and regulatory frameworks provided by relevant authorities in the country have revealed certain deficiencies in effectively addressing this significant public health crisis. This study surveyed the infection control regulations, disposable item usage, ventilation facilities, spatial separation, and the configuration of entrance doors in 51 domestic hospital facilities from Oct 1, 2021, to Nov 2, 2021. The survey findings revealed that while there was a relatively satisfactory adherence to airborne, droplet, and contact precautions with adequate awareness and utilization of personal protective equipment, the environmental disinfection practices exhibited a suboptimal performance rate of 39.22% per patient. Depending on the specific survey domains, substantial variations were observed in the utilization of disposable items (81.05%), ventilation systems (45.75%), dedicated testing spaces (80.39%), separation of administrative areas (15.69%), and the installation of automated doors (19.61%). This study not only highlights the paramount importance of infection control in PFLs within domestic medical institutions but also provides foundational data for developing and enhancing standardized guidelines that align with international benchmarks for infection control in these settings.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.322-331
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• 2019

This study was conducted to examine the correlations between knowledge and compliance of cough etiquette, and to identify the influencing factors on compliance of cough etiquette in nursing students. This was a descriptive study. Data were collected from september 3 to 14, 2018 in 173 nursing students. Data were collected through personal interviews using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using t-test, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-wallis test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. Knowledge of cough etiquette according to the droplet infection related characteristics showed significant differences in hand washing. Compliance of cough etiquette according to the droplet infection related characteristics showed significant differences in carrying a tissue, carrying a handkerchief, hand washing, need education for cough etiquette. Knowledge of cough etiquette showed significant positive correlations with compliance of cough etiquette. Knowledge of cough etiquette, carrying a handkerchief, need education for cough etiquette, which accounted for 22% of the variance, were significant predictors influencing compliance of cough etiquette in nursing students. To improve compliance of cough etiquette in nursing students, it is necessary to carry handkerchief and to develop a education program that can raise knowledge with cough etiquette.