Influenza A Virus Shedding and Infectivity in Households.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Viral shedding is often considered to correlate with the infectivity of influenza, but the evidence for this is limited.

Methods

In a detailed study of influenza virus transmission within households in 2008-2012, index case patients with confirmed influenza were identified in outpatient clinics, and we collected nose and throat swab specimens for testing by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction from all household members regardless of illness. We used individual-based hazard models to characterize the relationship between viral load (V) and infectivity.

Results

Assuming that infectivity was proportional to viral load V gave the worst fit, because it strongly overestimated the proportion of transmission occurring at symptom onset. Alternative model

SUBMITTER: Tsang TK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4601913 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature