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Paul G. Auwaerter, MD, MBA; Paul P. Doghramji, MD, FAAFP; Aruna Subramanian, MD

Cases and Conversations™: Applying Best Practices to Prevent Shingles in Your Practice

 COVID-19 page brings readers the latest information and clinical updates on the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, from case counts and hospitalization rates to data on effective treatments for severe disease and the circulating viral variants.  

This week's Infection Control Today's Hot Topics in IPC discusses US health leadership, H5N1, and more. 

IPC Hot Topics for March 24, 2025: US Health Leadership, Measles, and More

Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today’s highlights for the week ending March 23, 2025. 

Weekly Rounds: Candida auris in Burn ICU, Updates on Long COVID, and More

Dr Noah Greenspan discusses the evolving understanding of long COVID, current treatment strategies, diagnostic challenges, and the critical need for research and awareness in post-viral syndromes.

Unmasking Long COVID: Dr Noah Greenspan on Recovery, Research Gaps, and the Future of Treatment

Health care-associated infections pose a global threat. In the op-ed, experts advocate for Far-UVC light as a safe, effective tool to reduce airborne pathogens, enhancing infection control in hospitals and public spaces.


Far-UVC Is a Public Health Tool We Need Now

The growing H5N1 avian flu outbreak threatens public health and food security. Without urgent action, mutations could spark human-to-human transmission, creating the next global pandemic.

H5N1 Avian Flu Crisis: The Growing Threat to US Food Supply and Public Health

The Future of Reusable PPE in Healthcare: A Sustainable and Cost-Effective Solution

The conversation around reusable personal protective equipment (PPE) is gaining traction, especially in the wake of the pandemic-induced shortages. 

 (TRSA), and Dyan Troxel, MSN, RN, the director of clinical education at Handcraft Linen Services, shed light on the benefits and challenges of shifting toward reusable health care textiles. The experts cover key findings from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine workshop on reusable personal protective equipment (PPE), addressing misconceptions about reusable linens, and current state policy issues.


The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine hosted a workshop to examine the viability of reusable PPE. Findings revealed that reusable textiles offer significant advantages: lower costs, reduced environmental waste, and strengthened supply chain resilience. Unlike disposable PPE, which creates 15,000 tons of waste daily, reusable PPE can withstand up to 75 washes while maintaining its protective integrity.

“The reusable product, specifically reusable PPE in [a] health care environment, it reduced cost, it reduced waste, it improved supply chain resilience, and is a more environmentally sustainable product for the industry. Their ultimate outcome is to explore partnerships with organizations that can help increase the adoption of reusable healthcare PPE,” Ricci said.

Hospitals often hesitate to adopt reusable PPE due to concerns over cleanliness and storage logistics. However, commercial laundries follow rigorous hygienic standards, ensuring that reused PPE meets or exceeds safety requirements. TRSA’s Hygienically Clean Certification ensures that laundering processes eliminate bacteria and contaminants effectively, reinforcing confidence in reusable options.

Troxel said, “We have to convince the people [that the process is safe], and that's part of my job as the clinical educator. I go in and explain the process, invite them to our plant and tour, showcase that we are hygienically clean certified by TRSA, and explain that part of it to get them to understand.”


Despite the benefits, barriers to widespread implementation remain. Many healthcare facilities rely on disposable PPE due to habit, convenience, and purchasing structures tied to group purchasing organizations (GPOs). Decision-makers often view PPE as a disposable commodity rather than a service-based system, making the transition challenging.

Nurses and frontline workers must also feel comfortable using reusable PPE. Studies indicate that 60% of health care workers prefer cloth-based PPE over disposable alternatives due to comfort, durability, and perceived safety. Educating staff and administrators about the efficacy of reusable textiles is essential to shifting mindsets.


Ricci explained that several states, including New York and California, are considering mandates to require at least 50% reusable PPE usage in health care facilities. Europe’s health care sector has already embraced reusable textiles, experiencing fewer PPE shortages during the pandemic. The CDC and other federal agencies could play a pivotal role by recommending reusable PPE in health care guidelines.

“Europe had about 30% more reusable products than Canada, and they avoided shortages because they could rely on that rotating inventory. Since that inventory was available, production continued, allowing them to obtain that product and not [have the shortages we experienced.] They also consider the environment seriously. They are ahead of us on environmental issues, no doubt about it. Just look at their approach to the carbon tax and their efforts on extended producer responsibility and reducing single-use products. It makes a lot more sense to them than it does to us, but we're making progress. I think we're beginning to look at it more universally.”


The shift toward reusable PPE requires a cultural change, strategic investment, and industry-wide collaboration. As health care facilities prioritize sustainability and supply chain resilience, reusable PPE offers a proven, long-term solution.

Ricci said educating health care workers on the benefits of reusable linens is vital. “We're making an effort to sit down with the stakeholders in our industry, collaborate with them, communicate with them, educate them on the importance of the reusable product and what it does within our current healthcare environment and our changing health care environment.”

Troxel agreed and said, “It's about making sure that frontline staff have what they need for their best protection possible to keep patients safe.”

 Annual Conference from May 13 to 15 in Greater Palm Springs. Find information 

Here is a link to the National Academies’ proceedings: 

https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/reusable-health-care-textiles-for-personal-protective-equipment-a-workshop

The NAS final report can be found here: 

https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27762/reusable-health-care-textiles-for-use-in-personal-protective-equipment

Here is a link to the TRSA release, which includes a handy summary of the NAS findings: 

https://www.trsa.org/news/national-academies-workshop-validates-the-benefits-of-reusable-ppe/

Here is a link to the congressional letter requesting the NAS study: 

https://www.trsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Letter-to-HHS-Secretary-Becerra-Requst-Study-on-Reusable-Health-Care-Textiles.pdf

Here is some information on the site tour Ricci mentioned with the New York state assemblyperson: 

https://www.trsa.org/news/ny-state-assembly-member-engages-with-trsa-members-tours-unitex/

Here is a link to the New York state bill Ricci mentioned: 

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/S8169

Reusable PPE offers a cost-effective, sustainable solution for health care, reducing waste and improving supply chain resilience. Overcoming adoption barriers requires education, policy support, and industry-wide collaboration.

The Future of Reusable PPE in Health Care: A Sustainable and Cost-Effective Solution

Infection Control in Dentistry

Marie Fluent, DDS, dental infection control consultant and speaker at MarieFluent.com, spoke with 

) after her first presentation at the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting held in Chicago from February 19 to 22, 2025. Her topic was titled “Infection Control Update.”

Fluent, whose dental career spans 35 years, spoke in depth on everything from hand hygiene to waterlines. She is passionate about infection control, especially in dental.

“I love the topic of infection control. It's great public health service. And unlike other topics in dentistry, it's not sexy. In other words, if you adopt a new infection control program, nobody cares. If you got a new CEREC machine, everybody would sit around who and marvel at the technology and the time savings and the chair time savings that would be incorporated in adopting that new piece of technology. But if you have a new infection control program, nobody cares, but I consider it kind of like cleaning your house. If you do clean your house, nobody cares. But if you don't clean your house, everybody notices, and everybody cares. Infection control is in that same category, and it's like a public health service and endeavor that you do out at the bottom of your heart for the goodness of the community, your patients, and the safety and protection of your dental team.”

In the often funny and always engaging presentation, Fluent emphasized vaccinations and how to discuss them with patients and health care workers. “All clinical personnel in the dental setting are at risk for exposure to disease agents and other environmental hazards,” Fluent said. “With attention to infection control CDC guidelines, risks to yourself, your patients, and other dental team members can be minimized…No [vaccines] are perfect. Think of them as “bulletproof” vests. They will not protect 100% of the time, but they do help a great deal.”

At the 2025 Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, Dr. Marie Fluent passionately discussed infection control, emphasizing hand hygiene, waterlines, and the critical role of vaccinations in dental settings.

Conference

Infection Control in Dentistry: Marie Fluent, DDS, Champions Safety and Public Health at Midwinter Meeting

Dr. Deborah Birx Unveils Urgent Insights on Avian Flu: What Infection Preventionists Must Know

Deborah Birx, MD, Unveils Urgent Insights on Avian Flu, COVID-19, and HMPV

This interview can also be found on the podcast

Update: On January 13, 2025, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), announced that it has identified highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard poultry flock in Puerto Rico. This marks the first occurrence of HPAI in domestic birds in Puerto Rico since the outbreak began in February 2022, 

), Deborah L. Birx, MD, shared critical updates on the evolving threat of avian influenza, particularly the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain. With significant outbreaks reported globally, H5N1 has demonstrated its ability to infect various species, including mammals, raising concerns about its potential to mutate and pose a greater risk to humans.

Birx emphasized the importance of proactive infection prevention strategies to address this growing threat. Key measures include enhanced surveillance systems to monitor both human and animal cases, rigorous biosecurity protocols in agricultural and healthcare settings, and robust public health education campaigns to improve awareness and preparedness.

One of the most alarming aspects of H5N1 is its ability to cross species barriers, potentially increasing the likelihood of mutations that could lead to sustained human-to-human transmission. Birx warned that while current human cases remain isolated, the virus’s evolutionary trajectory necessitates vigilance from infection prevention professionals.

“The reason I [have gotten] concerned over the last month was in California, there are 700 of the 1000 dairy herds infected with H5; 70% of the herds are infected. Less than 60 have moved through their infection and are no longer quarantined. So, we know at least 62 or so percent of all dairy herds are infected in California. And if you look at the h1 from California, well, from the region nine, but it's, you know, heavily California, you'll see that flu h1 is like this. So, h1 is dramatically expanding in California. This will be the first time we have had significant h1 infection in the communities. At the same time, you have dairy workers at risk. The principles of prevention are that responding and detecting are critical.”

She also discussed the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) adherence for high-risk environments, emphasizing that health care workers and agricultural personnel must be adequately trained to recognize symptoms and prevent exposure. Vaccination strategies for poultry and seasonal flu vaccines for at-risk workers are also essential to minimize co-infection risks.

Birx urged infection preventionists to remain informed about ongoing research, international updates, and potential changes in H5N1 behavior. She stressed that early detection and swift action are critical to preventing more significant outbreaks and protecting public health. Her call to action underscores infection prevention professionals' vital role in mitigating the risks of avian flu and other emerging infectious diseases.

This exclusive interview offers timely and actionable insights, equipping infection preventionists with the knowledge needed to address the evolving challenges of H5N1 and safeguard global health.

"I was hoping we had learned from COVID-19 that a lot of transmission happens between people who don't believe that they have an illness and others," Deborah Birx, MD, told Infection Control Today. 


Ambassador Deborah L. Birx, MD, Unveils Urgent Insights on Avian Flu, COVID-19, and HMPV

Invivyd Presents Data on Pemgarda’s Efficacy Against COVID-19 Variants at IDWeek

Immunocompromised people are the most at risk to severe issues with At IDWeek in Las Angeles, California, 

, a COVID-19 prevention option with FDA Emergency Use Authorization, presented data demonstrating the efficacy of Pemgarda against COVID-19 strains dating back to the Omicron strain for immunocompromised people.

) caught up with Robert Allen, PhD, Invivyd's chief science officer. He explained the main takeaway from his presentation and discussed the 2 posters Invivyd presented at IDWeek.

“The main thing to give them data, empirical underpinnings, so that they can understand that this antibody, which is as an [emergency use authorization] for administration to immunocompromised individuals, right that this antibody has profound efficacy, during the course of canopy, has demonstrated efficacy during times when we saw when we look at the variants that were prevalent at the different time points in those 6 months…[many] different variants that have sort of evolved [to] continue to be susceptible to Pemgarda,” Allen said.

“The takeaway needs to be that when people think about recommending this for use in the context of transplant or individuals [who] are being administered compounds that lead to an immunocompromised state in the context of treatment for other diseases that they might be suffering from, those immunocompromised individuals could benefit from this in the eyes of their positions, and that conversation can be fueled by the confidence they have from seeing this data,” Allen said.

When asked what the IDWeek conference is like, Allen said, “I typically spend a lot of time at research meetings, and [I] was really excited for the opportunity to [go] and talk to health care providers and listen to how the epidemiology groups and others are talking about different pathogens, of course, and there's a lot of enthusiasm around the work that's been done in the clinic. Take, for example, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV); there have been [several] approvals for RSV vaccines and an antibody for the treatment of that disease. And then that, you know, things like that, where I can hear the epidemiologists and like the people from CDC talk about how policies are being put in place, and then use that as a context to think about where a company like Invyvid could position value in that context, right? And so that's been really interesting for me.”

At IDWeek, Invivyd highlighted Pemgarda’s effectiveness under FDA Emergency Use Authorization for immunocompromised patients, demonstrating efficacy against evolving COVID-19 variants since the Omicron strain.

Andrea Thomas, PhD, DVM, MSc, BSC, director of epidemiology at BlueDot, discusses the resurgence of respiratory viruses, risks from avian influenza

Preparing for a Challenging Winter: Insights on Global Infectious Disease Trends

In a recent webinar, Andrea Thomas, PhD, DVM, MSc, BSc, director of epidemiology at BlueDot at BlueDot Global, and her team provided insights into the current landscape of infectious diseases globally, focusing on respiratory pathogens impacting the Northern Hemisphere. To learn more, 

) attended the webinar and then interviewed Thomas about the details.

With seasonal viruses such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) resurging alongside the ever-present COVID-19, health care systems are preparing for what could be another challenging winter.

“This is the time of year where, at least in Northern Hemisphere countries, we anticipate the return of seasonal respiratory viruses like seasonal flu and RSV, among a number of others. And BlueDot does a lot of monitoring around the global circulation of these pathogens. And of course, we also keep a close eye on COVID-19, which is not seasonal, but often does have a significant rise in cases in the winter, when we also have flu and RSV and others.”

The Southern Hemisphere’s recent experiences indicate a return to prepandemic patterns, although COVID-19’s year-round presence continues to pressure health care infrastructure.

“[The webinar was] to help get ahead of the Northern Hemisphere season and to look at what we saw in the Southern Hemisphere, which can be informative to understand what we might expect in the Northern Hemisphere,” Thomas said.

The webinar emphasized the importance of monitoring global disease trends to anticipate and manage regional outbreaks effectively. Additionally, Thomas discussed the potential risks posed by avian influenza H5N1, which is now detected in dairy cattle and poses an increased risk of human spillovers in agriculture workers. Although H5N1 currently poses a low risk to the public, it highlights the ongoing need for comprehensive surveillance and vaccination strategies to mitigate potential cross-species transmission.

Thomas explained, “So we touched on that too, to talk about added challenges when it comes to surveillance, when it comes to monitoring closely to understand whether that [H5N1] virus might be changing or potentially, if we had worst case scenario, some spread from human to human, how hard that would be to pick up when we've also got all of these other respiratory diseases at the same time.”

Thomas then addressed the challenges posed by emerging and reemerging vector-borne diseases such as dengue and chikungunya. These diseases have shown significant spread in regions like Brazil and are now beginning to circulate locally in parts of the US. This increase in cases reinforces the importance of vector control and public health measures to limit local transmission.

Moreover, the discussion touched on the Marburg virus, a highly fatal hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola. Although primarily endemic to certain parts of Africa, recent outbreaks have emphasized the need for global vigilance. Thomas highlighted the rapid deployment of trial vaccines in response to the latest outbreaks, underscoring the critical role of proactive research and preparedness in managing viral threats.

Infection preventionists and health care facilities can mitigate the impact of respiratory diseases this season by strengthening preventive measures and significantly enhancing ventilation systems to reduce airborne transmission. As Thomas noted, being proactive, rather than reactive, in infection control will be key to minimizing health care-associated infections and protecting health care workers and patients from severe illnesses during the upcoming high-risk winter season.

Andrea Thomas, PhD, DVM, MSc, BSc, director of epidemiology at BlueDot, discusses the resurgence of respiratory viruses, like COVID-19, influenza, pneumonia, and risks from avian influenza, and the importance of proactive infection control to safeguard health care systems this winter.

 Infection Prevention in Veterinary Medicine: A Growing Field with New Challenges

Bluedot Veterinary infection prevention

 has increasingly become a focal point in the conversation about infection prevention. During an interview with 

), Andrea Thomas, DVM, PhD, MSc, BSc, director of epidemiology at BlueDot Global, and Mariana Torres Portillo, MD, infectious disease surveillance manager at BlueDot Global, highlighted how the recent COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of preventing the spread of viruses between humans and animals. The transmission of diseases, such as COVID-19 and mpox, not only among humans but also to pets and wildlife, has opened up a wider discussion about zoonotic diseases that spread between animals and people.

Thomas acknowledged that veterinarians often act as generalists, managing everything from surgery to routine checkups, all while trying to prevent the spread of infections. This tall order is why a more specialized focus on veterinary infection prevention is gaining traction. There is a growing recognition of the need to fill knowledge gaps, particularly with emerging diseases, and to create guidelines to help professionals avoid potential outbreaks.

“The current pandemic that we’re still in has brought that to light,” Thomas told 

. We had a new virus spreading between people, but it could also be passed to our pets. That alone has brought a lot of attention to the need to prevent the sharing of viruses and pathogens between animals and humans….

 That’s a tall order, and it is great to know that this is a growing field and [that there is] a growing…recognition of the need to fill those gaps and have people who are dedicated to thinking about this problem, communicating around it, and developing guidelines, because we don’t always have those—especially with emerging infectious diseases—in veterinary health care.

“It’s a lot to stay on top of. You’re already treating the patients in front of you. [Still], you also need to understand what could be coming your way that you need to prepare for. [It] is a tall order, and having professionals who are dedicated to monitoring those trends, getting ahead of them, and developing guidelines before they’re needed, hopefully, is going to be a huge benefit to the field,” Thomas continued.

For instance, zoonotic diseases account for an estimated 75% of emerging infections.

 Recent research from China has identified dozens of animal viruses that could become future public health threats.

 As Torres Portillo emphasizes, professionals dedicated to monitoring these threats and developing proactive guidelines will be essential for keeping both animals and humans safe.

“I think we should first…[improve] the air quality…. [There are] many discussions into airborne pathogens, droplets vs aerosols, that have been concealed to further prevent [pathogens]. [At the] top [of the list will]be handwashing for many pathogens, [as] that is another way of transmission.” Torres Portillo said.

Regarding recommendations for veterinary infection preventionists, the focus is on fundamental actions, such as air filtration, improved hand hygiene, and a One Health approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health. Torres Portillo also highlighted the need to protect veterinary professionals, as they are often in direct contact with animals and their fluids, increasing their risk of exposure.

A key opportunity is a more vital collaboration between human and veterinary infection prevention teams. Learning from human health experiences can help enhance veterinary protocols, bridging gaps across both fields.

“Just like in health care, these are critical resources…. We don’t have enough of them in veterinary medicine, either.” Thomas said. “There is a shortage, and we need to protect their health. That’s absolutely critical…and I do think there are gaps. It is an area that hasn’t had as much focus as it has for human health. It’s also asking a lot for public health to take on that responsibility, too, where there may not be as much expertise. Having a dedicated veterinary infection prevention training, [having] guidelines developed, [and] building that field up would be valuable across multiple fronts.”

Both Thomas and Torres Portillo see opportunities for a stronger collaboration between human and veterinary infection prevention teams. “This whole conversation is how we’re all connected. We can’t have a separation between human and animal health, so I think it will have to be very cross-collaborative,” Thomas said.

Whitacre Martonicz T. Veterinary infection prevention: a discussion with Leslie Kollman, BS, CVT, CIC. 

. June 20, 2024. Accessed October 28, 2024. 

https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/veterinary-infection-prevention-discussion-leslie-kollmann-bs-cvt-cic

’s editorial advisory board member: David Levine, PhD, DPT, MPH, FAPTA. 

. August 21, 2024. Accessed October 28, 2024. 

https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/view/meet-infection-control-today-s-editorial-advisory-board-member-david-levine-phd-dpt-mph-fapta

Milbank C, Vira B. Wildmeat consumption and zoonotic spillover: contextualising disease emergence and policy responses. 

. 2022;6(5):e439-e448. doi:10.1016/S2542-5196(22)00064-X

Zhao, J, et al. Farmed fur animals harbour viruses with zoonotic spillover potential, 

Veterinary medicine's growing focus on infection prevention aims to address zoonotic disease risks, emphasizing specialized training, proactive guidelines, and collaboration between human and veterinary health teams.


 Infection Prevention in Veterinary Medicine: A Growing Field With New Challenges

Meet Shannon Simmons, DHSc, MPH, CIC. Infection Control Today's Editorial Advisory board member

Meet Shannon Simmons, DHSc, MPH, CIC.

's) Editorial Board members—a diverse group of professionals dedicated to advancing infection prevention and control practices. This series highlights each member's unique expertise and contributions to the field.

From groundbreaking research to innovative strategies, these experts are at the forefront of enhancing health care safety. Join us as we learn their insights, experiences, and visions for the future, providing valuable knowledge and inspiration to elevate infection control protocols.

This installment is from Shannon Simmons, DHSc, MPH, CIC, System Program Manager of Ambulatory Infection Prevention for CHRISTUS Health, Irving TX.

My name is Shannon Simmons. I am the program manager of ambulatory infection prevention, and my journey as an infection preventionist began in the microbiology lab. I have always been fascinated by microorganisms and everything they can do in the unseen world of microorganisms. I spent some time as a microbiologist and wanted to expand my knowledge. Getting a master's degree in public health exposed me to different options, and infection prevention sparked my interest. It fused my love for public health and bringing everyone together, structures, standards, and policies. It's not that cool, but it's something that I have an interest in, and I am also bringing in the side of microbiology.

That is where I started, and I got an opportunity to join a very big team of infection preventionists at a large county hospital. So, I got the best experience coming into infection prevention by being a part of that large team because we had nurses and other people who had come from laboratory backgrounds. These people had come from working in health departments. It was a very well-rounded team. Having such a large hospital and seeing so many things, I got the best experience of everything possible. I wish every new infection preventionist could go into a large hospital with a large team and learn from many people how to make infection prevention work for everyone; infection prevention is everyone's responsibility.

Having those different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences molded my career in infection prevention, the kind of things that I didn't think about because I don't have a nursing background; I was able to relate more to speaking with my colleagues and even the coming out of the bedside world, having a different, more epidemiological look at things, and understanding how the microorganism itself is even working to cause these issues that are happening that we physically see with people or in environments. This really brings everything together.

I had the opportunity to be a director of infection prevention during COVID-19. Making those decisions, understanding what's happening, and being that subject matter expert at a time when we were all learning on the fly, so [I have] had a very interesting infection prevention career. Now, taking on the role of focusing primarily on ambulatory care settings also leads me to be more creative with a lot of information because infection prevention has primarily been focused on hospital settings.

Now that much more health care is taking place outside of hospital settings, we realize what that looks like in our clinics and ambulatory surgery centers and how we can still provide the best care. Even though these patients aren't there, as long as they are in hospitals, for the most part, it's still a place where we should be practicing those infection prevention guidelines. Some things may need to be tweaked to meet the needs of those areas.

I like this role of working with smaller spaces that don't necessarily have an infection control practitioner but still need that assistance to ensure they are doing what is best for the patients and the staff. Trends that I am seeing are the emergence of what artificial intelligence (AI) can do in spaces, and it's so new and interesting that even I am trying to understand better options and how to translate those into our ambulatory settings.

 should cover in the next year], I have noticed nothing specific…[except AI] on the cusp of being a big phenomenon. But there's a lot of conversation about how we can use AI in health care in general. So, I'm very interested and excited to see what that looks like in the infection prevention world.

APIC is making a big push for this and will have a conference soon so we can all learn more and have better conversations. Infection prevention is a multidisciplinary part of health care, and just having that extra helps with AI. I'm very excited to see how that can help everyone.

Manufacturer instructions for use… is the hot topic everywhere. The more we talk about it, the closer we're getting to something that works for everyone. I'm very happy with the progress we're making in that area. It seems like such a simple and easy concept. The people who made it tell us how to use it, but there must be some universal language, everyone understanding everyone's role when it comes to not only using a product but also cleaning, sterilizing, and disinfecting it. I'm very interested to see more and hear more about how we can make instructions for use relatable, understandable, and universal in some way because it is such an important aspect of infection prevention.

Meet the experts shaping infection prevention: Infection Control Today's Editorial Board members share insights, experiences, and cutting-edge strategies to enhance health care safety and quality. Meet Shannon Simmons, DHSc, MPH, CIC.

Meet Shannon Simmons, DHSc, MPH, CIC, ICT's Editorial Advisory Member

Antibiotics, common cold, and how they affect antimicrobial resistance

Antibiotics and the common cold

In a recent survey conducted by Epocrates, a surprising trend emerged regarding people's expectations and perceptions about the common cold. To shed light on these findings and discuss their implications, 

), sits down with Anne Meneghetti, MD, the executive director of medical information at Epocrates. She shares insights from the survey, revealing how misconceptions about the duration and treatment of cold symptoms impact health care decisions.

 that because the media has discussed long COVID so often recently, she suspected that individuals may not understand how long a cold normally lasts. She is speaking of the “typical symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, congestion, and cough.” Epocrates’ recent survey verified her hunch.

Anne Meneghetti, MD, highlights the misconceptions that drive individuals to seek antibiotics for common colds sooner than necessary.


COVID-19

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