Abstract: Distinguishing viruses responsible for influenza-like illness

Abstract: Distinguishing viruses responsible for influenza-like illness

The many respiratory viruses that cause influenza-like illness (ILI) are reported and tracked as one entity. How do respiratory pathogens with similar clinical presentations differ in their epidemiological parameters and outbreak properties? We systematically reviewed 104 studies for the parameters of six respiratory viruses. We developed a mechanistic model, carried out sensitivity analyses, and simulated epidemics for each virus separately in a hypothetical flu season. We found that the parameters and outbreak properties of the viruses underlying ILI differed substantially. In view of these differences, failure to distinguish between respiratory pathogens has implications for diagnostic accuracy and pandemic preparedness.