Remote Household Observation for Noninfluenza Respiratory Viral Illness

• Published in: Clinical infectious diseases 2021-12, Vol.73 (11), p.e4411-e4418
• Main Authors: Emanuels, Anne, Heimonen, Jessica, O’Hanlon, Jessica, Kim, Ashley E, Wilcox, Naomi, McCulloch, Denise J, Brandstetter, Elisabeth, Wolf, Caitlin R, Logue, Jennifer K, Han, Peter D, Pfau, Brian, Newman, Kira L, Hughes, James P, Jackson, Michael L, Uyeki, Timothy M, Boeckh, Michael, Starita, Lea M, Nickerson, Deborah A, Bedford, Trevor, Englund, Janet A, Chu, Helen Y
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Child; COVID-19; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Online Only; Prospective Studies; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Respiratory Tract Infections - epidemiology; SARS-CoV-2; Viruses
• ISSN: 1058-4838; 1537-6591
• DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1719

Abstract Background Noninfluenza respiratory viruses are responsible for a substantial burden of disease in the United States. Household transmission is thought to contribute significantly to subsequent transmission through the broader community. In the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, contactless surveillance methods are of particular importance. Methods From November 2019 to April 2020, 303 households in the Seattle area were remotely monitored in a prospective longitudinal study for symptoms of respiratory viral illness. Enrolled participants reported weekly symptoms and submitted respiratory samples by mail in the event of an acute respiratory illness (ARI). Specimens were tested for 14 viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Participants completed all study procedures at home without physical contact with research staff. Results In total, 1171 unique participants in 303 households were monitored for ARI. Of participating households, 128 (42%) included a child aged