Battling contagious diseases

What started as reports of a previously unknown virus causing serious illness in the Chinese province of Hubei, has now become headline news around the world, as the battle continues to stop the global spread of COVID-19 – a new coronavirus. Coronaviruses are a large group of common viruses known to infect both humans and animals. In humans, these pathogens cause respiratory illnesses – ranging from the common cold to far more serious infections, including severe pneumonia and bronchitis.

The rapid spread of COVID-19 is another example of how quickly viruses can spread and how easily members of the public and, therefore, members of the dental team can come into direct contact with pathogens, especially those found in blood and saliva. This comes as a timely reminder that any patient visiting a dental surgery could potentially be carrying an undiagnosed infection or be at risk of acquiring an infection without stringent hygiene standards.