Study of viral respiratory infections in nursing homes

Respiratory infections cause considerable morbidity and mortality in elderly.
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for persons of age 65 and older,
and for persons with other medical risk conditions. In the Netherlands
vaccination coverage in seniors is about 80% annually. However, the
contribution of other viruses to respiratory infections is largely unknown. To
obtain insight in the occurrence of this variety of viruses and their
associated morbidity, the present descriptive study will be done

To determine the occurrence and variety of viral respiratory infections and
their associated morbidity in the elderly and their care-takers.

Descriptive study in which residents of nursing homes with episodes of acute
respiratory infections will be reported (by care takers or by themselves) by
telephone to the investigator at Vaxinostics.
Depending on the severity of the episode of respiratory infection, subjects
will be visited at their homes for further questionnaires, medical assessment
and nasal and throat swab sampling. Four to six week later subjects will be
contacted to investigate the outcome of the reported episode, using a telephone
questionnaire. During one season subjects may be studied for multiple
incidents.

Both study contacts will take about 60 minutes time from the participant.
Sampling of nasal and throat mucus with a swab is a procedure that gives
possibly some minor discomfort during a few minutes time. Subjects will not be
reimbursed for their participation.