[Procedures for estimating transmission parameters from influenza epidemics: use of serological data]

A maximum likelihood procedure is given for estimating household and community transmission parameters from observed influenza infection data. The mathematical model used does not require the specification of infection onset times and, therefore, can be used with serological data which detect asymptomatic infections. Infection data was derived by serology and virus isolation from the Tecumseh Respiratory Illness Study and the Seattle Flu Study for the years 1975-1979. Influenza A (H1N1), A (H3N2), and B viruses were found to be in descending order both in terms of ease of spread in the household and intensity of the epidemic in the community except when two strains co-circulate. Children are found to be the main introducers of influenza into households.