Patterns of viral shedding in pandemic and seasonal influenza virus infections in a community setting

摘要

Introduction: The dynamics of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 compared to seasonal strains of influenza is not clearly understood. It is important to understand the patterns of viral shedding and symptoms over time in community-based infections.Materials and methods: Household infections were fol-lowed-up in two large community-based studies. Patterns of viral shedding, symptoms and signs, and tympanic temperature were plotted over time and grouped according to strain for analysis.Results: The patterns of viral shedding, symptoms and signs, and tympanic temperature in three influenza A strains (pandemic A/H1N1, seasonal A/H1N1, and seasonal A/H3N2) were comparable. Peak viral shedding occurred close to the onset of symptoms and resolved after 6-7 days. Patterns of viral shedding in influenza B virus infections differed.