Infection Control News: The Winter “Quad-Demid” is Coming

Just when we thought we were in the clear, right? Various news sources have reported a quadruple viral threat hitting the US this winter, aptly named “the quad-demic.” Coming off the cusp of the holiday season, the rest of winter seems to be a perfect storm of viral infections that consist of four major viruses that attack the respiratory system. So in this article, we’d like to delve into the news, as well as offer some of our SAS solutions to help keep you safe during this bizarre event.

The News

This winter, a “quad-demic” of four respiratory viruses is circulating: COVID-19, influenza, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), and norovirus. The term “quad-demic” refers to the concerning convergence of those four major respiratory viruses. Each virus poses a range of health risks, with some individuals, particularly young children, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions, being more vulnerable to complications.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Nationally, wastewater viral activity levels for COVID-19 and influenza A are at high levels.” While COVID-19 activity is predicted to remain lower than in previous winters, the CDC warns that influenza activity will likely remain high to very high in the coming weeks.” Emergency department visits for RSV and influenza are also currently high nationwide. 

It’s important to note that norovirus, often mistakenly called the “stomach flu,” is not related to influenza. As the CDC states, “It is sometimes called the ‘stomach flu’ or the ‘stomach bug.’ However, norovirus illness is not related to the flu. The flu is caused by the influenza virus. Norovirus causes acute gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach or intestines.” 

• COVID-19: The virus that caused the global pandemic from the end of 2019. While cases may have decreased, new variants continue to emerge, and immunity from previous infections or vaccinations can wane.
• Influenza (Flu): Flu season typically peaks in the winter, and the severity of the flu can vary significantly from year to year.
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): This common respiratory virus can be particularly dangerous for infants and the elderly.
• Norovirus: Typically referred to as the “stomach bug” but with no relation to influenza. This highly contagious virus causes vomiting and diarrhea and can spread quickly in healthcare settings and other communal spaces.

These 4 viruses are currently seeing a spike in cases across the US. To protect yourself and others, it’s crucial to take preventative measures. This includes practicing good hygiene such as frequent handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when you’re sick. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition, exercise, and adequate sleep can also help boost your immune system.

But seeing as the spread goes further than your home, we here at SAS have some solutions here that should be able to help your practice prevent further spread.

The SAS Solution to Protect Yourself

This winter war on viral infections isn’t just confined to your home, it extends beyond to things outside your abode. So you’ll need to be ready, and luckily, Sterilizer Autoclave Solutions is here to help. We have a vast range of products that not only cater to you, but can also help keep your workplace or practice safe from the spread. Whether it’s protecting your person with gloves and masks as a personal shield… Or combating the pathogens in the air with air purifiers, we’ve got your bases covered.

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Air Quality with OSO Pure

Whether it’s indoors inside your workplace or practice, personal space or even your car… OSO Pure has a solution for every need. Their line of air purifiers can help take the fight against pathogens to the air; literally. Let’s take a look at what OSO Pure has to offer.

For Rooms

For room service, we have the ADP-70 model from OSO Pure. That stands for Air Disinfecting Purifier-70.

The ADP 70 air disinfection utilizes a proven technology commonly used in hospital HVAC systems called Photocatalytic Oxidation ( PCO). These charged ions, referred to as Hydroxyl Radicals (HO), are powerful oxidizers that destroys particles as small as .001 microns. HEPA systems only filter particles down to .300 microns. The ADP 70 continuously emits HO for on contact removal of contaminants.

The ADP-70 is perfect for:

• Operatory areas
• Patient waiting or common areas
• Employee Break rooms
• Implant Processing
• Sterilization center
• Lab Processing
• Denture
• Waiting Rooms
• Any unconfined area where you want to control pathogens and odors.

The OSO Pure ADP-70 Air Purifier is available here on our website.

For Buildings

For your buildings, whether it be offices, medical practices, etc, we have the ADP-V line from OSO Pure. That stands for Air Disinfecting Purifier Ventilation.

The ADP-V Series air purifier installs in the practice’s HVAC system effectively oxidizing viruses, bacteria, mold, odors and VOC’s in the air and on surfaces. Unlike air filtration devices, the ADP emits powerful oxidizers that attack pathogens at the point of origin as opposed to waiting for them to be removed via filtration. Our process provides an extra layer of protection 24/7 to you, your staff and your patients.

Some of the ADP-V Series features are:

• Utilizes your existing system, purification is distributed evenly throughout the practice
• Reduces airborne and surface contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, VOCs, mold, and mildew
• Purifies the HVAC ducts and kills mold on the A-Coil and drip pan
• Eliminates odors at the source
• Ideal for most indoor spaces
• Safe for humans and pets
• LED function lights confirm continuous operation
• Low to no maintenance – replace cell every 2 years.

We also have the ADP-V2 and ADP-V3 available.

The OSO Pure ADP-V1 Air Purifier is available here on our website.

The OSO Pure ADP-V2 Air Purifier is available here on our website.

The OSO Pure ADP-V3 Air Purifier is available here on our website.

For Vehicles

When it comes to your vehicle’s air quality, OSO Pure even has you covered there. With their EVPP Mobile Disinfecting Purifier. That stands for Emergency Vehicle Personal Purifier

The EVPP is the perfect Air Purifier for emergency vehicles, your work vehicle, or desktop workspace. Utilizing PCO Technology along with Negative Ionization to purify air and surfaces, up to 99% of Bacteria, Viruses, Mold, Mildew, and other contaminants are rendered harmless. Odors like smoke are also eliminated, creating a cleaner safer work environment.

The OSO Pure EVPP Air Purifier is available here on our website.

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Personal Protection with Halyard

The air is one thing, but you’ll also need protection for yourself. A personal shield that can be worn anywhere you go. Luckily, that’s Halyard’s specialty. They have a range of personal protection equipment that can get you where you need to go, safely. And they can be used anywhere. Whether you’re prepping for surgery or just navigating through your daily public commute… Halyard’s selection of masks and gloves is unparalleled when it comes to personal protection.

Halyard’s FLUIDSHIELD N95 Masks

You may have heard of N95 respirators before. An N95 respirator is a mask has specific features that set it apart from other mask types. They’re respiratory devices that sport a very close facial fit and are designed for maximum protection by creating a seal around the nose and mouth. And some also sport a square-shaped respiratory filter on the front for efficient filtration.

But Halyard took it to the next level. Their Fluidshield N95 mask takes a whole new approach to things. Sporting a sort of duck-bill shape to its mask for a splash-proof defense tactic, while ditching the traditional square filter. Instead, the Fluidshield N95 mask is lined with filtration fabric on the inside. Not only that, but there are other notable things about these masks as well:

• Halyard’s Fluidshield N95 masks are 100% FDA approved. And are cleared for use in healthcare as medical devices.
• Unlike other mass-produced mask products, Halyard’s products are manufactured right here in the United States. Creating the best protection with a home field advantage.
• With a variety of sizes to choose from, and a malleable nose wire, comfort is of the same level as your protection.
• The inside of the mask is also double the size of other N95 masks, exceeding the 100% standards for breathability in masks.

With this unique entry into Halyard’s lineup of masks, they’re certainly off to a strong start. There are times, though, when you don’t always need something that powerful…what about something that caters to a more general need?

Halyard’s Level 1 and Level 3 Procedure Masks

If you don’t need an N95 respirator, then Halyard has you covered too. Their wide selection of PPE extends to general needs too. And you don’t need to look any further than their Fluidshield Level 1 and Level 3 Procedure masks. And just like the N95 Fluidshield, the Level 1 and Level 3 masks also have an interesting system. They both can sport Fluidshield technology, but the levels are what sets them apart. Now, there might be a part of you that thinks, ” If the higher level means better, then the lower levels aren’t worth my time, right?”

Consider the following: if the lower levels aren’t nearly as good, why are they still selling them when the higher levels are just as widely available? That’s because the level system isn’t a deterrent, it’s a guide. The difference lies in the protection that you get from each one. Each level of mask is meant for a different situation in the environment that you’re going to be using them. And a higher grade mask guarantees higher protection. For example:

• Level One: Low barrier protection. Only for general use, not used for aerosols, spray or fluids.
• Level Two: Moderate barrier protection. Use for low to moderate levels of aerosols, spray and/or fluids.
• Level Three: Maximum barrier protection. Use for high risk of fluid, spray and/or fluids.

And we carry Halyard’s Level 1 and Level 3 Procedure masks, so depending on what kind of environment you deal with, you can make the right choice for your needs!

Level 1 Procedure Masks

Level 1 masks are used for places that are known to not be as infectious as others, and cost less than higher levels. They provide easier breathing and are more suited for everyday needs. These masks are meant to be more publicly available than masks made for medical facilities. However, level 1 masks are not quite as protective as higher levels. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider them. And these Halyard masks have variants built with their Fluidshield barrier. Which is a multi-layered filter system in the front of the mask that also protects against high-pressure fluids. So these are great for areas that might not be as high risk as others, with a ton of protection.

There’s two different kinds of level 1 masks here. There’s the Level 1 Procedure Yellow mask, and the Level 1 Procedure Yellow mask with Fluidshield. 

The Level 1 mask is the standard in low-maintenance areas. With the Halyard protection guaranteed for even the general environment. It has a pale-yellow exterior, and does NOT have the Fluidshield barrier that it’s other variant has. But when mixing comfort and protection, it still does it’s job well. They provide the standard earloop design to maximize comfort and secure it properly to you. And they also meet the ASTM F2100 Level 1 standards.

So if you want the Level 1 Procedure Yellow Masks, they’re available here on our site.

The Level 1 Procedure Yellow Masks with Halyard’s Fluidshield technology have all the same traits as the standard masks. But they sport added benefits to layer onto the already quality design. For even more comfort and breathability options, these Fluishield variants sport benefits like:

• Meets ASTM F2100-11 Level 1 standards 
• Inner layer featuring SO SOFT* bicomponent fabric technology
• Breathable and designed to keep you comfortable 
• Ear loops

So if you want the Level 1 Procedure Yellow FLUIDSHIELD Masks, they’re available here on our site.

Level 3 Procedure Masks

The difference between these and the level 1 masks are obviously the increaed protection. But unlike the level 1 masks, the difference in the level 3 masks is the inner lining. There are two versions of the level 3. There’s the Level 3 Fog-Free Fluidshield Orange Procedure Masks that can be available with Halyard’s patented SO SOFT lining, and there are the others which come with it standard right out of the factory. Both share the same great benefits such as:

• Meets ASTM F2100-11 Level 3 standards
• Pleat style with ear loops 
• Inner layer featuring SO SOFT* bicomponent fabric technology
• Constructed with a patented combination of materials to resist fluid penetration upon impact
• Breathable film

So if you want the Level 3 Fog-Free Fluidshield Orange Procedure Masks, you can find them on our website here.

Halyard Purple Nitrile Gloves

If it’s gloves you want, they’ve got them in spades. Halyard’s tried and true Purple Nitrile Gloves offer a general option able to tackle a wide variety of challenges. With the power of nitrile, you’re already getting the best defense possible. In a form-fitting glove that fits to you through body heat for a secure, yet comfortable feel. Add an AQL of 1.0 to that, and these gloves are practically guaranteed to solve all of your problems. And all it takes is one pull from their SmartPull packaging to ensure you get the right amount of gloves every time. No worries about wasting the gloves or your money.

Some of the other great benefits of this glove are:

1. Halyard’s Purple Nitrile Gloves  are waterproof. They’re recommended for damp work environments, and you can even wear them under your regular work gloves to prevent permeation.
2. Nitrile is 3-4 times more puncture-resistant than latex
3. They’ve been tested against 29 chemotherapy drugs per the ASTM D6978-05.
4. Nitrile has also been proven as one of the longest lasting materials for shelf life. Under the right and proper conditions, your nitrile gloves can have a shelf life of possibly 5-10 years.
5. They have an AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) of 1.0 for critical defects. Meets or exceeds ASTM D6319 – Standard Specification for Nitrile Examination Glove for Medical Applications
6. Meets or exceeds biocompatible 10993 studies for systemic toxicity, irritation and sensitization endpoints
7. Passes Viral Penetration Testing – ASTM F1671 – 07 Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Blood-Borne Pathogens Using Phi-X174 Bacteriophage Penetration as a Test System

You can find Halyard’s Purple Nitrile Exam Gloves on our site here.

Halyard Sterile Purple Nitrile Gloves

With Personal Protection Equipment or PPE acting as our everyday shield against any harmful germs or pathogens that may be roaming undetected, Halyard understands that we can’t afford to take any chances. Their Purple Sterile Nitrile Gloves can help tackle even the toughest of sterile procedures. All while keeping the amazing benefits of nitrile like form fitting comfort and maximum defense. The thing that sets the sterile variant apart from the non sterile is the processing and packaging. These sterile gloves have gone through an FDA approved sterilization to meet their standards. 

And from Halyard, the packaging for these sterile gloves is different than their non-sterile counterpart. Inside the box, the gloves are packaged in pairs of two for maximum sterility. The Purple Sterile Nitrile Gloves also sport a wealth of benefits like:

1. Halyard’s Purple Nitrile Sterile Gloves are waterproof. They’re recommended for damp work environments, and you can even wear them under your regular work gloves to prevent permeation.
2. Nitrile is 3-4 times more puncture-resistant than latex
3. They’ve been tested against 29 chemotherapy drugs per the ASTM D6978-05.
4. Nitrile has also been proven as one of the longest lasting materials for shelf life. Under the right and proper conditions, your nitrile gloves can have a shelf life of possibly 5-10 years.
5. Halyard Purple Sterile Nitrile Gloves are available in small (S), medium (M), large (L), with bulk case options available.
6. They have an AQL (Acceptable Quality Level) of 1.0 for critical defects. Meets or exceeds ASTM D6319 – Standard Specification for Nitrile Examination Glove for Medical Applications
7. Meets or exceeds biocompatible 10993 studies for systemic toxicity, irritation and sensitization endpoints
8. Passes Viral Penetration Testing – ASTM F1671 – 07 Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Blood-Borne Pathogens Using Phi-X174 Bacteriophage Penetration as a Test System

You can find Halyard’s Purple Nitrile Sterile Exam Gloves on our site here.

Halyard Black-Fire Nitrile Gloves

When considering hand protection, it’s important to choose gloves that offer the right balance of cost and quality. While latex and vinyl gloves are common for general purposes, they often lack the durability and protection required for more demanding medical applications. Halyard’s Black-Fire Nitrile gloves address this need, providing a high-quality, versatile option suitable for a wide range of uses. And with them being one of their special selections, the Black-Fire Nitrile Gloves have a unique feature to call their own. 

• Versatility: Halyard’s Black-Fire Nitrile gloves are remarkably versatile due to their nitrile construction, offering several key benefits, including waterproofing and suitability for low to high exposure to chemicals and liquids (even serving as an underglove), significantly greater puncture resistance than latex, an extended shelf life of 5-10 years with proper storage, and the innovative Quick Check technology which allows for breach detection via a high-visibility orange inner layer that is revealed when the glove is torn or during removal, reducing cross-contamination risks.

• Quality Assurance: Halyard Black-Fire Nitrile Gloves adhere to high quality standards, with an AQL of 1.0 for critical defects (exceeding ASTM’s 2.5 AQL requirement), adherence to or exceeding ASTM D6319, meeting or exceeding biocompatibility 10993 studies, and passing Viral Penetration Testing – ASTM F1671 – 07.

• Sizes: Halyard Black-Fire Nitrile Gloves are available in small (S), medium (M), large (L), and extra-large (XL) sizes, all 9.5 inches in length, with bulk case options available.

• Comfort: Halyard Black-Fire Nitrile Gloves offer a comfortable fit, molding to the hand with body heat, made from acrylonitrile butadiene to prevent irritation and Type-1 allergic reactions, powder-free for easy donning and doffing, and featuring a reversible design with the Quick Check orange layer also usable for high-visibility situations.

• SmartPULL Packaging: Halyard’s SmartPULL packaging minimizes glove waste with two numbered opening tabs, allowing users to access only the necessary gloves initially and then easily access the remaining gloves as the box empties.

You can find Halyard’s Black-Fire Nitrile Exam Gloves on our site here.

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Final Thoughts

The recent surge in viral illnesses, including COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and norovirus, underscores the critical importance of staying protected during this “quad-demic.” These circulating viruses pose a significant health risk, and taking proactive steps to safeguard yourself and others is essential. Protecting yourself isn’t just a personal responsibility; it’s a community effort. Sterilizer Autoclave Solutions understands the challenges of maintaining a safe and healthy environment, and we’re here to help.

We offer a range of high-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) solutions to equip you with the tools you need to navigate this challenging season. From OSO Pure’s effective air purifiers that help eliminate harmful pathogens in the air, to Halyard’s reliable masks and gloves that provide a crucial barrier against viral transmission, we have the products you need to stay protected.

So if you have any questions about OSO Pure Air Purifiers, Halyard masks and gloves or anything else, please give us a call at 704-966-1650 Option 3 for our Free Tech Support line. We also have various programs available to anyone for free using the links below.

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As always if you have any questions about this process or anything else please feel free to contact us and take advantage of our “FREE TECH SUPPORT.”

We also offer FREE VIRTUAL TECH SUPPORT to “See and Talk” with a “Real Time Live Technician” for any problems you may be in need of help with.

You can also use our “FREE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM”. Take the guesswork and worrying about what unit is due for maintenance and which maintenance cycle it is time for. We will keep track of all your autoclaves and let you know when it’s time for anything.