Overview

Viruses account for the majority of the acute respiratory tract infections [‎ARIs]‎ globally with a mortality exceeding 4 million deaths per year. The most commonly encountered viruses, in order of frequency, include influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza and adenovirus.

Current evidence suggests that the major mode of transmission of ARIs is through large droplets, but transmission through contact [‎including hand contamination with subsequent self-inoculation]‎ and infectious respiratory aerosols of various sizes and at short range [‎coined as [‎opportunistic]‎ airborne transmission]‎ may also occur for some pathogens.

Opportunistic airborne transmission may occur when conducting high-risk aerosol generating procedures and airborne precautions will be required in this setting. General infection control measures effective for all respiratory viral infections are reviewed and followed by discussion on some of the common viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome [‎SARS]‎ coronavirus and the recently discovered novel coronavirus