INFECTIOUS RESPIRATORY
PARTICLES - SCI & TECH
News: WHO terms pathogens that
transmit through air ‘infectious respiratory particles’ or IRPs
What's in the news?
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The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced the term "infectious respiratory
particles" (IRPs) to describe
pathogens that transmit through the air.
Key takeaways:
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This move aims to address the lack of a common
terminology, which was particularly challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The announcement comes after extensive
consultations and reflects shared agreement among public health agencies and
experts.
IRPs:
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Infectious respiratory particles (IRPs) encompass
particles expelled by infected individuals through breathing, talking, singing, spitting, coughing, or sneezing.
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IRPs exist on a continuous spectrum of sizes,
eliminating the need for a dichotomy between aerosols and droplets.
Examples of Pathogens
Covered:
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Respiratory Infections: Examples include COVID-19,
influenza, measles, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS), and tuberculosis (TB).
Significance:
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The WHO said this facilitates moving away from the dichotomy of previously used terms — ‘aerosols’
(generally smaller particles) and ‘droplets’ (generally larger particles).
Global Technical
Consultation Report:
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The publication titled ‘Global technical
consultation report on proposed terminology for pathogens that transmit through
the air’ is the result of an extensive, multi-year, collaborative effort, and
reflects shared agreement on terminology between the WHO, experts, and four major public health agencies — the
Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the Chinese Center for
Disease Control and Prevention, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and
Control, and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Go back to basics:
Respiratory Particles:
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They are tiny airborne objects we breathe in,
impacting our health.
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The particles that are generated contain, in
addition to water, many other constituents, including salts, proteins, mucus,
and pathogens such as bacteria or viruses.
Types:
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Droplets: Larger (over 5 micrometers) expelled through
coughs, sneezes, etc.
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Aerosols: Smaller (under 5 micrometers) and linger in the
air longer.
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Airborne dust: Includes dust mites, pollen, and mold spores.
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Size Matters: Larger droplets get trapped in the upper airways,
while smaller aerosols reach the lungs.
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Health Risks: These particles can lead to respiratory illnesses
like the common cold, flu, COVID-19, and asthma.