The Role of HIV in the Household Introduction and Transmission of Influenza in an Urban Slum, Nairobi, Kenya, 2008-2011.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about how human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection affects influenza transmission within homes in sub-Saharan Africa.


METHODS
We used respiratory illness surveillance and HIV testing data gathered in Kibera, an urban slum in Nairobi, Kenya, to examine the impact of HIV status on (1) introducing influenza to the home and (2) transmitting influenza to household contacts.


RESULTS
While HIV status did not affect the likelihood of being an influenza index case, household contacts of HIV-infected influenza index cases had twice the risk of developing secondary influenza-like illness than contacts of HIV-negative index cases.


CONCLUSIONS
HIV-infected influenza index cases may facilitate transmission of influenza within the home.
Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University.
Michael C
MC
Judd
International Emerging Infections Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Gideon O
GO
Emukule
International Emerging Infections Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Henry
H
Njuguna
Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
Meredith L
ML
McMorrow
Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi.
Geoffrey O
GO
Arunga
International Emerging Infections Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Mark A
MA
Katz
International Emerging Infections Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Joel M
JM
Montgomery
International Emerging Infections Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Joshua M
JM
Wong
International Emerging Infections Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Robert F
RF
Breiman
International Emerging Infections Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Joshua A
JA
Mott
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D007630:Kenya; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011204:Poverty Areas; D018570:Risk Assessment; D055815:Young Adult
HIV; Kenya; Kibera; influenza transmission; influenza-like illness; informal settlement; slum