Preventing nosocomial infection in paediatric wards.

Nosocomial infection is potentially a major problem in paediatric wards. However, there are methodological difficulties which hinder researchers in identifying the true extent of nosocomial infection. Respiratory infections pose the greatest challenge, with the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) being particularly problematic. However, RSV can be contained by strict implementation of isolation procedures. Other major pathogens such as enteric bacteria and viruses can similarly be controlled through vigorous attention to hand-washing and isolation. Health-care staff are implicated in the nosocomial spread of many other infectious agents, and should pay particular care to personal practice.