RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Nosocomial Respiratory Virus Infection

This study aims to understand how common winter viruses, like the flu, COVID-19, and RSV, spread in hospitals in France. These viruses can be a big problem, affecting both patients and healthcare staff. Researchers want to find out how many people get these infections during their hospital stay and how severe they are. They'll collect information from patients and staff who have flu-like symptoms, including details about their health and vaccination history. This will help them understand who is most at risk and how well current prevention methods, especially vaccines, are working. The goal is to improve ways to keep everyone in hospitals safe from these infections.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Hospices Civils de Lyon

Enrolment target

1,000

Start

05 Dec 2024

Estimated completion

05 Jul 2026

Nosocomial Infections

What is this study about?

You know how common viruses like the flu, COVID-19, and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) can spread easily, especially in winter? This study is looking closely at how these types of viruses affect people in hospitals. Sometimes, people can catch these infections while they are already in hospital, which is what we call a 'hospital-acquired infection'. These can make people sicker and stay in hospital longer, putting a strain on hospital resources.

At the moment, we don't have enough clear information in France about how often these infections happen in hospitals, how serious they can be, or how well things like hand washing, masks, and especially vaccines, protect people. This study aims to fill those gaps. Researchers want to understand where these infections come from and how they pass between people, so they can put better measures in place to stop the spread. This research could help hospitals become safer places for everyone.

They will be looking at this in several hospitals across France, focusing on specific departments like those for older patients, general medicine, and transplant patients. By carefully collecting information from people who get flu-like symptoms during their hospital stay, the researchers hope to get a much clearer picture of the problem. This will help them suggest better ways to protect patients and staff in the future, including encouraging more people to get vaccinated.

Key takeaways

This study aims to understand common hospital-acquired winter viruses.
It involves patients and healthcare staff with flu-like symptoms.
Participation includes a simple nose/throat swab and a health questionnaire.
Your data helps improve hospital safety and infection control for everyone.
All personal information is kept strictly private and coded.
You can choose to leave the study at any point.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you need to be an adult (18 years or older) who is either a patient staying in one of the selected hospital departments or a healthcare worker there. You would need to have flu-like symptoms, such as a fever above 37.8°C (without having taken medicine to lower it) and/or a cough or sore throat, either when you arrive at the hospital or at some point during your stay.

Before you can join, you'll need to read and sign a consent form, which explains everything about the study in more detail. This shows that you understand what's involved and agree to take part.

There are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or giving birth. Also, if you are not able to make your own decisions about your health, are involved in a legal case that limits your freedom, or are not covered by social security insurance, you wouldn't be eligible. The study also cannot include individuals receiving certain types of psychiatric care or those living in care homes for reasons other than research.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you a patient in a study department or a healthcare worker there?
Do you have a fever (above 37.8°C) and/or cough or sore throat?
Can you understand and sign a consent form?
Are you not pregnant or breastfeeding?
Are you able to make your own decisions about your health?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, the main thing you'd need to do is provide a nose and throat swab. This is a common test where a small swab is gently wiped inside your nose and at the back of your throat to check for viruses. The study team will also ask you some questions about your health, including any past illnesses, your vaccination record, and details about your current symptoms. This information helps them understand your situation better. They will then track some details about your illness. The study will be looking for people to join during two periods: from mid-October 2024 to mid-April 2025, and then again from mid-October 2025 to mid-April 2026. The total duration of your involvement would depend on your hospital stay and recovery from the illness.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study won't directly improve your current health. However, the information gathered will be extremely valuable. It will help us understand more about how respiratory viruses spread in hospitals and how they affect patients and staff. This could lead to better ways of preventing these infections and improving care for everyone in the long run. The main risk involved is the slight discomfort from the nose and throat swab, which is usually very brief. All your identifying information will be removed before the data is analysed to protect your privacy. Remember, deciding whether or not to join is completely up to you, and you can stop participating at any time without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (4)

Pellegrin Hospital
Verified postcode
Bordeaux, France· Not yet recruiting
CHU Dijon
Verified postcode
Dijon, France· Not yet recruiting
Edouard Herriot Hospital
Verified postcode
Lyon, France· Recruiting
Bichat Hospital
Verified postcode
Paris, France· Not yet recruiting

Common questions

What kind of viruses are you looking for?

We are looking for common winter respiratory viruses like the flu (influenza), COVID-19, and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus).

Will this study help me directly?

While this study won't change your personal medical treatment, the information we gather will help improve care and prevention for others in the future.

How will my personal information be kept private?

All your personal details will be removed and replaced with a code before any analysis, so your information remains confidential.

Do I have to get vaccinated to participate?

No, you don't have to be vaccinated to take part. We will ask about your vaccination history as part of understanding the whole picture.

What if I change my mind after joining?

You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

How to find out more

Philippe VANHEMS, MD, PhD

philippe.vanhems@chu-lyon.fr +33 4 72 11 07 20 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.