Virology

Details

Title

Virology

Type

Stage Two

Module code

HLS230

Requirement

Compulsory

Module objective

By the end of the training period trainees who are primarily in microbiological practice will have the broad virological knowledge, clinical and technical skills to recognise and undertake the early management of common virology infections and presentations and will be able to analyse, synthesise, evaluate and apply their knowledge, perform a range of technical procedures and clinical skills and demonstrate the attitudes and behaviours necessary for the role of a consultant clinical scientist.

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to demonstrate the ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesise relevant knowledge and its application to their professional practice in relation to:

• investigation, intervention and advice for women with, or in contact with, rash/illness in pregnancy including the natural history of cytomegalovirus rubella, parvovirus B19, measles, varicella-zoster virus, hepatitis B, HIV, hepatitis C in relation to pregnancy
• investigation, intervention and advice following ascertainment of a healthcare worker with a blood- borne viral infection
• investigation, intervention and advice in relation to blood-borne virus risks following needlestick incidents
• aetiology, risk factors, and clinical presentation of eye infections caused by viruses and chlamydia
• aetiology, risk factors, and clinical presentation of viral causes of pharyngitis and infectious mononucleosis
• epidemiology and risk factors and clinical presentation of viral hepatitis infections including infection prevention and control, viral load quantitation and treatment of chronic viral hepatitis
• epidemiology, clinical presentation, management and investigation of HIV and HIV- associated viral infections
• clinical presentation, management, investigation and prevention of blood borne viruses in haemodialysis units
• clinical presentation, management, investigation and prevention of sexually acquired viral and chlamydial infections
• presentation, management, investigation and prevention of virus infections associated with skin rashes
• epidemiology and risk factors in hospitals and the community of serious respiratory virus infections such as RSV and influenza including the use of antivirals; immunisation and infection control
• epidemiology and risk factors and clinical presentation of viral gastroenteritis infection (especially norovirus) including infection prevention and control in the hospital and community settings
• investigation and management of potential contact in returned travellers, of bat-associated bites in relation to rabies and of suspected clinical cases
• epidemiology and risk factors and clinical presentation of viral haemorrhagic fevers and other arthropod-borne travel-related infections
• clinical presentation, management and investigation of CNS infections due to herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, mumps virus and enteroviruses
• management of varicella-zoster virus infections in neonates, children, adults, immune compromised persons and pregnant women including obstetric risk factors as well as infection prevention and control, treatment and prevention.
• risk factors for, clinical presentation, management and investigation of virus infections in immunocompromised patients, especially CMV
• precautions required by healthcare workers if infected with viruses, especially varicella-zoster virus, HBV, HCV and norovirus

Technical and clinical skills

By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of current relevant research, theory and knowledge and its application to the performance, adaptation and mastery to select, interpret and perform relevant virological tests.

By the end of the training period the trainee will be able to apply knowledge of virology to perform, adapt and master the clinical skills necessary to:

• advise and communicate effectively listening, responding to questions and defending the advice given with relevant clinicians and other healthcare professionals in relation to the range of virological infections described above.