A community-based study of respiratory episodes in Melbourne, Australia.
OBJECTIVE
To provide recent data regarding the epidemiology of community-based respiratory infections in Australia.


METHODS
A longitudinal study between 1997-99 involving collection of a health diary from 600 families in Melbourne.


RESULTS
More than 80% of study participants reported at least one respiratory episode over 15 months. An average of 2.2 respiratory episodes per person per year was reported, with a mean episode duration of 6.3 days. On average, subjects were symptomatic for 4.2% of the study days. Compared with other age groups, children aged less than two years were most likely to have at least one respiratory episode, a greater number of episodes per person and the longest episode duration (6.8 days). Approximately, one in three (28.7%) respiratory episodes were associated with a doctor's visit, and one in four (23%) necessitated time off school or work. Exposure to other people with respiratory symptoms was commonly reported.


CONCLUSIONS
Respiratory infections are common, cause a significant amount of morbidity, and are major contributors to the total community health burden.


CONCLUSIONS
The direct and indirect costs of respiratory infections to the community are substantial.
Leder
Karin
K
Central and Eastern Clinical School, Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004. karin.leder@med.monash.edu.au
Sinclair
Martha I
MI
Mitakakis
Teresa Z
TZ
Hellard
Margaret E
ME
Forbes
Andrew
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014881:Water Supply