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Patterns of Respiratory Illness Among Elderly PersonsThe Value of Communitywide Surveillance Studies for Influenza
Gregory A. Poland, MD
Arch Fam Med. 1997;6(5):466-467.
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THE ARTICLE by Long et al1 in this issue of the ARCHIVES is worthwhile reading for all primary care providers who are on the "front lines" during the influenza season. The major purpose of the study was to describe the frequency and clinical characteristics of influenza confirmed by laboratory studies among community-dwelling elderly compared with pediatric outpatients. The study involved 9 internal medicine (n=808) and 3 pediatric (n=2080) practices, studied during 3 consecutive winter seasons. The study confirmed the following: (1) the importance of influenza by demonstrating that influenza virus was the most commonly recovered viral agent in both age groups seeking medical care for symptoms of acute respiratory illness and (2) the consistent and classic presence of febrile respiratory illnesses in patients with influenza. In addition, the higher influenza illness and viral isolation rates in children were closely mirrored in the older adult population, suggesting the importance
. . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]
Author Affiliations
Mayo Vaccine Research Group Mayo Clinic and Foundation Rochester, Minn
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