Healthcare science staff working in this field will normally use highly specialised serological and molecular techniques, such as antigen, antibody detection, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and sequencing. In some instances they are directly involved in the screening of selected populations at risk from specific viral diseases.
As well as dealing with patients, they also investigate how infections have spread through the environment by taking a particular interest in the design and maintenance of operating theatres, other clinical areas, food preparation and hygiene, cleaning and waste disposal, sterilisation and disinfection. Healthcare science staff in virology also play an important role in public health.