Influenza-like illness among university students: symptom severity and duration due to influenza virus infection compared to other etiologies

Abstract

Objective: University students with influenza-like illness (ILI) were assessed to determine whether symptom severity, duration, or missed days of school or work varied according to etiology.

Participants: Sixty persons presenting to a university health clinic with ILI symptoms during 3 consecutive influenza seasons completed baseline survey and viral testing; 51 (85%) completed follow-up.

Methods: Influenza viral culture and polymerase chain reaction and respiratory virus immunofluorescence assay testing were performed. Information collected at baseline and follow-up included symptom occurrence, severity, duration, and numbers of days of work and school missed.

Results: Influenza virus was confirmed in 63% of participants. Influenza-positive individuals were no more likely to report any symptom or miss more days of school or work. Self-reported severity and durations of symptoms were similar between groups.

Conclusions: Students with influenza-associated ILI were similar to those with noninfluenza ILI with respect to severity, duration, and numbers of days of school and work missed.

FIGURE 1

Percent of influenza-positive (n = 38) and influenza-negative (n = 22) participants reporting symptoms. Influenza positive defined as positive viral culture, positive PCR, or both.