What physical interventions are most effective in interrupting or reducing the spread of respiratory viruses?Relevance to nursing care Influenza or other acute respiratory infections that lead to epidemic or pandemic threats are the basis for global health concerns. Annual influenza rates are reported to affect 10% to 15% of the global population; this rate increases to 50% during epidemics. Respiratory epidemics are devastating to human life and can cause economic crises. The 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic, the 2006 H5N1 and the 2009 H1N1 pandemic threats resulted in massive outbreaks and human deaths that lead to global anxiety and economic strain. Therefore, identification of cost-effective interventions that interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory viruses are of paramount importance to global respiratory health. The use of vaccines or antiviral agents as single interventions is ineffective but is found to be efficacious when used in conjunction with other interventions.
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