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Household Transmission and Clinical Features of Respiratory Tract Infections That Were SARS-CoV-2 Positive and

Jaakko Ahti1, Laura Toivonen1, Helena Ollila2

  • 1Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku.

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|May 31, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variants spread more effectively in households than other respiratory infections. SARS-CoV-2 transmission rates were higher than for non-SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Limited comparative data exist on respiratory infection transmission in households with children.
  • Understanding transmission dynamics is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare transmission rates of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections within households.
  • To investigate the role of children and adults as index cases in household transmission.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 175 households (700 participants) from June 2020 to April 2022.
  • Daily symptom monitoring via electronic questionnaires and SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing.
  • Calculation of secondary attack rates (SARs) for SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative infections.

Main Results:

  • SARS-CoV-2 infections, predominantly Omicron variants (BA.1, BA.2), showed higher transmission (SAR 41%) than non-SARS-CoV-2 infections (SAR 24%).
  • SARS-CoV-2 transmission was similar between child and adult index cases (40% vs 43%).
  • Non-SARS-CoV-2 infections had higher transmission from child index cases (27%) compared to adult index cases (18%).

Conclusions:

  • SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants exhibit greater household transmissibility than other respiratory pathogens.
  • Household transmission dynamics differ between SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections, particularly concerning the role of child index cases.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19SARS-CoV-2childrenhousehold transmissionsecondary attack rate

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