By: Caitlin Dimalanta  |  November 8, 2022

It’s common to catch a cold or a nasty flu during the Fall and Winter months. This year there are two additional viruses to be on the lookout for. Outbreaks of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) and Norovirus have recently made headlines across the nation. Although the flu and norovirus are typically prevalent starting in Autumn spilling into Spring. This year RSV has stuck around past its season that usually peaks in July for the United States, leading to an estimated 58,000-80,000 hospitalizations among children younger than 5 years old and 60,000-120,000 hospitalizations among adults 65 and older.

What is the impact these outbreaks have on health of our building occupants and communities? Based on nationwide data provided by the CDC, there are roughly 430,000 hospitalizations per year between these three highly contagious viruses. Putting the health of our students, employees, and customers first is top priority. Facility management is heavily relied on by so many to provide a safe and healthy environment to work, learn and continue our established daily routines. With proper cleaning strategies and supplies combined with expert training and education tools you can help protect your building occupants against the viral trifecta of the season.

What is the difference between RSV, the Flu & Norovirus?

RSV is a common respiratory virus.

• Symptoms: Runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, and wheezing. Symptoms show within 4-6 days after infection.
• Usual Duration & Recovery: 1-2 weeks
• Methods of Transmission and rate of transmission: Virus droplets from cough or sneeze enter eyes, nose, or mouth. Direct contact with infected person or touching surfaces with the virus on it and then touching your face before handwashing.

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness.

• Symptoms: Fever, feverish chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue and in some cases vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms show within 2-4 days after exposure.
• Usual Duration & Recovery: Signs and symptoms typically resolve from 3-7 days but can last upwards of 2 weeks in some cases.
• Methods of Transmission and rate of transmission: Spread by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. Touching surface or object with flu virus on it then touching mouth, nose or eyes.

Norovirus aka “stomach flu” or “stomach bug”

• Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and in some cases fever, headache, and body aches. Symptoms show within 12-48 hours after exposure to norovirus.
• Usual Duration & Recovery: Most people get better within 1-3 days.
• Methods of Transmission and rate of transmission: Eat food or drink liquids contaminated with norovirus. Touch surfaces or objects with norovirus then put fingers in your mouth. Have direct contract with infected person by sharing food or drinks with them.

How can you prevent the spread and protect yourself from catching RSV, Flu or Norovirus?

In a post pandemic world, most of us are returning to the ways of before. A world full of in person experiences such as returning to campus for in class learning, going out to a restaurant to enjoy a meal or heading back to the office. Re-entering back into “normalcy” can understandably cause anxiety to rise in building occupants. The quality of cleanliness and essentially the safety of a building can affect how one learns and performs. To ease the stress and concerns of re-entering life as we knew it, we developed 6 Steps to Occupant Wellness and Pathogen Control aka WAXIE RE6™ Building Re-Entry.

With all three viral pathogens in circulation this flu season, helping your building occupants avoid getting sick is more important than ever. At first glance, this may seem like a daunting task given the seasonal “tridemic” on the rise, but with WAXIE RE6 your facility maintenance team can be prepped and ready for anything thrown your way.

With these six steps you can help prevent the spread of the flu, RSV and norovirus:

1. Enhanced Hand Hygiene Solutions