Human coronaviruses and other respiratory infections in young adults on a university campus: Prevalence, symptoms, and shedding. Issue 5 (24th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Davis, Brian M.; Foxman, Betsy; Monto, Arnold S.; Baric, Ralph S.; Martin, Emily T.; Uzicanin, Amra; Rainey, Jeanette J.; Aiello, Allison E.
• Is Part Of: Influenza and other respiratory viruses. Volume 12:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: 582
• Page End: 590
• Publication Date: 2018-07-24
• Subjects: acute respiratory infection -- coronavirus -- human -- influenza -- symptoms -- university; Influenza -- Periodicals; Respiratory infections -- Periodicals; Virus diseases -- Periodicals; Influenza, Human -- Periodicals; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- Periodicals; Virus Diseases -- Periodicals; Grippe -- Périodiques; Appareil respiratoire -- Infections -- Périodiques; Maladies à virus -- Périodiques; 616.203
• DOI: 10.1111/irv.12563
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-2640

Abstract

Abstract : Background: The prevalence, symptom course, and shedding in persons infected with the 4 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 2 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 = .04, and P = .01, respectively), while runny nose increased over the same period ( P = .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.