In:
Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets, Bentham Science Publishers Ltd., Vol. 22, No. 1 ( 2022-02)
Abstract:
With the increasing rate of COVID-19, particularly in developing countries
such as Iran, a high number of frontline service providers, including doctors and nurses, have died, making frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) more vulnerable to psychological disorders and fear and
anxiety of secondary transmission to others, especially their family members. In this study, we aimed to report the incidence of COVID-19 infection among HCWs in an Iranian referral pediatrics hospital
between April 2020 and July 2020. Material and Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, HCWs and hospital staff working
at Children's Medical Center, Tehran, Iran, with positive SARS-CoV-2 real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results were evaluated between April 2020 and July 2020. Results: Sixty-one out of the 1085 personnel (5.6%) including 14 pediatricians (23%), 24 nurses
(39%), 9 paramedics (15%), and 14 HCWs without direct patient contact (23%) had a nasopharyngeal specimen positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test. The mean age was 39.8±10.6 years. Eleven cases (18%)
had underlying diseases such as hypertension and asthma. The most common symptoms were fatigue (67%, n=41), dry cough (61%, n=37), fever (52%, n=32), headache (46%, n=28), dyspnea (43%,
n=24), anosmia (28%, n=17), chills (26%, n=16), sore throat (26%, n=16), gastrointestinal symptoms (23%, n=14), and productive cough (3%, n=2). Eleven cases (18%) showed lung involvement in their
chest X-rays and/or CT scans. Eighteen cases (29.5%) had lymphopenia, and 20 individuals (33%) had a high level of C-reactive protein. Conclusion: In conclusion, in the early phase of the COVID-19 outbreak, a substantial proportion of
HCWs with fever, respiratory, and other prevalent symptoms including fatigue and headache were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, implementation of infection prevention measures, isolation of
confirmed HCWs, disinfection of the environment, and regular COVID-19 prevention training for HCWs are strongly recommended for the wellbeing of health workers and minimizing the spread of
infection.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1871-5265
DOI:
10.2174/1871526521666210810124359
Language:
English
Publisher:
Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Publication Date:
2022
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