Effects of COVID-19 prevention procedures on other common infections: a systematic review
Open Access
- 3 July 2021
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in European Journal of Medical Research
- Vol. 26 (1), 1-13
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-021-00539-1
Abstract
Introduction: Since the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) began, necessary measures to prevent virus transmission and reduce mortality have been implemented, including mandatory public use of masks, regular hand-sanitizing and hand-washing, social distancing, avoidance of crowds, remote work, and cancellation of public events. During and after the introduction of COVID-19 lockout, we performed a systematic review of available published literature to investigate the incidence of seasonal influenza and other respiratory viral infections. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Research Gate, and the World Health Organization databases and websites were systematically searched for original studies concerning the impact of COVID-19 prevention means and measures on other common respiratory infectious diseases during the pandemic published by March 2021. Results: The findings showed that the adherence to health protocols to prevent COVID-19 could help to reduce the incidence of other infectious diseases such as influenza, pneumonia, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Conclusion: The implemented prevention measures and protocols might have reduced the incidence of influenza and some other common respiratory infections. However, controversies exist on this matter and future large population-based studies might provide further information to address these controversies.Keywords
This publication has 46 references indexed in Scilit:
- Decreased Influenza Incidence under COVID-19 Control Measures, SingaporeEmerging Infectious Diseases, 2020
- Collateral Benefit of COVID-19 Control Measures on Influenza Activity, TaiwanEmerging Infectious Diseases, 2020
- Seasonal Influenza Activity During the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak in JapanJAMA, 2020
- COVID-19: Prevention and control measures in communityTURKISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES, 2020
- Impact assessment of non-pharmaceutical interventions against coronavirus disease 2019 and influenza in Hong Kong: an observational studyThe Lancet Public Health, 2020
- Positive effects of COVID-19 control measures on influenza preventionInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2020
- Absence of Influenza A(H1N1) During Seasonal and Pandemic Seasons in a Sentinel Nursing Home Surveillance Network in the NetherlandsJournal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2011
- Teaching cause-of-death certification: lessons from international experienceHeart, 2010
- Death certification errors at an academic institution.Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, 2005
- Clinical Signs and Symptoms Predicting Influenza InfectionArchives of Internal Medicine, 2000