Study: Sleep-deprived nurses face higher infection risk

Editor's Note

Nurses who don’t get enough sleep face a significantly higher risk of common infections, including colds, pneumonia, and bronchitis, according to a March 10 report from HealthDay.

The article focuses on a study published in Chronobiology International finding that sleep debt—particularly among night shift nurses—weakens immune defenses, potentially affecting both personal health and patient care.

As detailed in the article, researchers analyzed data from more than 1,300 Norwegian nurses and found that those who slept up to two hours less than needed had a 33% higher risk of catching a cold. When sleep loss exceeded two hours per night, the risk doubled. The impact extended beyond the common cold, with pneumonia and bronchitis rates climbing 2.3 times higher for nurses with moderate sleep deprivation and 3.9 times higher for those with severe sleep debt. Sinusitis and gastrointestinal infections also increased with inadequate rest.

Work itself contributes to infection risk, the study found, with night shift nurses being particularly vulnerable, HealthDay reports. However, while night shifts were linked specifically to higher rates of the common cold, they were not associated with increased susceptibility to more serious infections. Researchers attribute this pattern to the disruptive effect of irregular schedules on sleep quality and immune function.

Beyond individual health risks, the findings suggest that chronic sleep deprivation among nurses could impact patient care. As noted by HealthDay, study authors recommend hospital systems take proactive steps to ensure nurses get adequate rest. Example strategies include limiting consecutive night shifts, allowing sufficient recovery time between shifts, promoting awareness of sleep’s role in immune health, and advocating for regular health screenings and vaccinations to help mitigate infection risks.