Risk of viral respiratory infection associated with shared washroom between adjoining rooms: a test-negative study

TL;DR

Residents sharing a washroom with an infected neighbor are more likely to catch a viral respiratory infection.

Contribution

This study identifies shared adjoining washrooms as a risk factor for viral respiratory infections.

Findings

Shared rooms increase VRI risk with an odds ratio of 2.28.

Shared adjoining washrooms increase VRI risk with an odds ratio of 1.65.

Preventive measures for shared rooms should also apply to shared washrooms.

Abstract

In test-negative study of residents exposed to viral respiratory infection (VRI), odds of VRI (excluding SARS-CoV-2) was higher with shared room (OR = 2.28, 95% CI, 1.53–3.40) and shared adjoining washroom (OR = 1.65, 95% CI, 1.03–2.64) than neighboring rooms. Measures recommended for exposed residents in shared rooms should be considered for shared washrooms.

Figures