Table 3.
Relation between virology and clinical characteristics in community-dwelling elderly persons during symptomatic episodes of acute respiratory infection
| Rhinoviruses (n = 34) | Coronavirus OC43 + 229E (n = 18) | Influenzavirus A and B (n = 7) | Negative virology (n = 45) | Case episodes—total (n = 107) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Episode duration (days), median (min, max) | 9 (2, 41) | 7 (2, 34) | 12 (9, 32)f | 8 (2, 29) | 9 (2, 41) |
| Symptoms of lower respiratory tract infectiona | 20 (58.8%) | 9 (50.0%) | 5 (71.4%) | 21 (46.7%) | 57 (53.3%) |
| Systemic symptomsb | 19 (55.9%) | 12 (66.7%) | 7 (100.0%)f | 30 (66.7%) | 68 (63.6%) |
| Other symptomsc | 15 (44.1%) | 6 (33.3%) | 3 (42.9%) | 14 (31.1%) | 39 (36.4%) |
| Restriction of activityd | 11 (32.4%) | 6 (33.3%) | 6 (85.7%) | 14 (31.1%) | 39 (36.4%) |
| Fever | 3 (8.8%)f | 5 (27.8%) | 5 (71.4%)g | 10 (22.2%) | 25 (23.4%) |
| Medical consultatione | 3 (8.8%) | 2 (12.5%) | 4 (57.1%) | 4 (9.1%) | 14 (13.5%) |
| Hospitalizatione | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Episode-related medicatione | 12 (35.3%) | 6 (37.5%) | 3 (42.9%) | 22 (50.0%) | 45 (43.3%) |
| Episode-related antibiotic usee | 2 (5.9%) | 0 (0.0%) | 2 (33.3%) | 2 (4.6%) | 7 (6.8%) |
Data are number of case episodes (%) unless otherwise indicated.
a
Lower respiratory tract symptoms: sputum production, wheezing, and pain on respiration.
b
Systemic symptoms: malaise, headache, rigors, muscular pain, and perspiration.
c
Other symptoms: tearful eyes, pain in facial sinuses, pain in ear.
d
Restriction of activity: staying in bed, staying at home, not able to do daily activities.
e
Data of three case episodes are missing.
f
P<0.05 compared with cases episodes-total.
g
P<0.01 compared with cases episodes-total.