The key to spotting harmful viruses before they spread

The COVID-19 pandemic has made us all more aware of the dangers posed by viruses. It has also demonstrated that there are ways we can fight disease much more effectively than we generally do – because of masking and increased handwashing, deaths from the flu have dropped dramatically over the past year. What do we need to know about the viruses in circulation and how can we spot infections early and get the right help?

The biggest dangers

After COVID-19, the most significant danger to people in the UK comes from the flu. It kills around 10,000 people a year in England and Wales. Two-thirds of the people are 65 or over and most of the others have chronic conditions like asthma or suppressed immune systems, but nobody is guaranteed to be safe from the illness.

We tend to think of measles as a minor childhood disease, but outbreaks caused by a drop in vaccination can be very dangerous. It’s potentially fatal and can also leave people blind or deaf. Young people who haven’t had the MMR are also at risk from viral meningitis, as are immunosuppressed people, and it can cause brain damage or death. Meanwhile, chickenpox is usually minor in children but can be deadly to adults.

There are around 105,000 people with HIV in the UK today. Although treatment for this virus is now very effective, to the point of making it difficult to transmit, it can still be very dangerous to those who don’t realise they’re infected.

Hepatitis B is rare in the UK but can cause lifelong health problems in children. Hepatitis C can become chronic and lead to liver failure.

Signs to watch out for

It’s difficult to be alert to the symptoms of all these different viruses but there are some common symptoms you can watch out for. If you have unexplained fatigue, muscle aches or diarrhoea lasting longer than two weeks, you should consult your doctor. If you have a fast-spreading rash and feel weak, if you find yourself struggling to breathe, if you heart beats more than 120 times a minute or if you have a temperature over 39.4ºC, seek medical advice immediately.

Testing in the workplace

Adults are most likely to contract viruses at work and employers are increasingly playing their part in detecting and curtailing outbreaks. The Intec Hep C test is easy to administer and is part of a range of new tools that help employers know when something is wrong. Rather than expecting sick employees to stay at work, smart employers send them home so they won’t infect others. Where potentially dangerous viruses are concerned, they also make sure that their employees know how to get medical help.

Spotting virus infections early helps everyone. Even where there’s no cure, it is possible to treat the symptoms and keep the sufferer much safer. It also significantly reduces the risk of the infection being passed to other people. By taking a new, more diligent approach to managing infection risks, we can all lead healthier lives.