Asymptomatic Summertime Shedding of Respiratory Viruses

J Infect Dis. 2018 Mar 13;217(7):1074-1077. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jix685.

Abstract

To determine rates of both symptomatic and asymptomatic infection among ambulatory adults, we collected nasopharyngeal swab specimens, demographic characteristics, and survey information from 1477 adult visitors to a New York City tourist attraction during April-July 2016. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to identify specimens positive for common respiratory viruses. A total of 7.2% of samples tested positive for respiratory viruses; among positive samples, 71.0% contained rhinovirus, and 21.5% contained coronavirus. Influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza virus were also detected. Depending on symptomatologic definition, 57.7%-93.3% of positive samples were asymptomatic. These findings indicate that significant levels of asymptomatic respiratory viral shedding exist during summer among the ambulatory adult population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Nasopharynx / virology*
  • New York City
  • Seasons*
  • Virus Shedding / physiology*
  • Viruses / classification
  • Viruses / isolation & purification*