Older Age and a Reduced Likelihood of 2009 H1N1 Virus Infection

Among persons who were at risk for infection with 2009 H1N1 virus, being born before 1957 was associated with a lower infection risk. To the Editor: Early epidemiologic reports regarding the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus suggest that cases of infection and deaths are concentrated in adults...

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Published inThe New England journal of medicine Vol. 361; no. 20; pp. 2000 - 2001
Main Authors Jackson, Phil, Fisman, David N, Savage, Rachel, Gubbay, Jonathan, Achonu, Camille, Akwar, Holy, Farrell, David J, Crowcroft, Natasha S
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Boston Massachusetts Medical Society 12.11.2009
Subjects
Confidence intervals
Medical research
Swine flu
Viruses
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Summary:Among persons who were at risk for infection with 2009 H1N1 virus, being born before 1957 was associated with a lower infection risk. To the Editor: Early epidemiologic reports regarding the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus suggest that cases of infection and deaths are concentrated in adults between the ages of 20 and 40 years. 1 This finding could reflect age-related differences in susceptibility or differential testing and diagnosis in this age group. Increased susceptibility to infection in young persons is characteristic of influenza pandemics and has important implications for disease-control policy. 2 We examined whether the reported excess of cases in younger persons derives from testing practices or reflects a differential risk of infection in Ontario, Canada. Our study sample included all persons . . .
ISSN:0028-4793
1533-4406
DOI:10.1056/NEJMc0907256