Human Coronaviruses and Other Respiratory Infections in Young Adults on a University Campus: Prevalence, Symptoms, and Shedding

Citation

Davis, Brian M.; Foxman, Betsy; Monto, Arnold S.; Baric, Ralph S.; Martin, Emily T.; Uzicanin, Amra; Rainey, Jeanette J.; & Aiello, Allison E. (2018). Human Coronaviruses and Other Respiratory Infections in Young Adults on a University Campus: Prevalence, Symptoms, and Shedding. Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses, 12(5), 582-590. PMCID: PMC6086849

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The prevalence, symptom course, and shedding in persons infected with the four most common human coronaviruses (HCoV) -229E, HKU1, NL63 and OC43 are poorly described OBJECTIVES: We estimate their prevalence and associated symptoms among college students identified via a social network study design. PATIENTS/METHODS: We collected 1-3 samples (n=250 specimens) from 176 participants between October 2012 and January 17, 2013: participants with acute respiratory infection (ARI) (cough and body aches or chills or fever/feverishness) and their social contacts. Virus was detected using RT-PCR. RESULTS: 30.4% (76/250) of specimens tested positive for any virus tested and 4.8% (12/250) were positive for two or more viruses. Human coronaviruses (HCoVs [22.0%; 55/250]), rhinovirus (7.6%; 19/250), and influenza A (6.4%; 16/250) were most prevalent. Symptoms changed significantly over time among ARI participants with HCoV: the prevalence of cough and chills decreased over 6 days (p=0.04, and p=0.01, respectively), while runny nose increased over the same period (p=0.02). HCoV-NL63 was the most frequent virus detected 6 days following symptom onset (8.9%), followed by rhinovirus (6.7%). CONCLUSIONS: During a 3-month period covering a single season, HCoVs were common, even among social contacts without respiratory symptoms; specific symptoms may change over the course of HCoV-associated illness and were similar to symptoms from influenza and rhinovirus.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/irv.12563

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2018

Journal Title

Influenza and other Respiratory Viruses

Author(s)

Davis, Brian M.
Foxman, Betsy
Monto, Arnold S.
Baric, Ralph S.
Martin, Emily T.
Uzicanin, Amra
Rainey, Jeanette J.
Aiello, Allison E.

PMCID

PMC6086849

ORCiD

Aiello - 0000-0001-7029-2537