The average peak time and intensity of seasonal influenza may vary by age: a study of laboratory confirmed influenza

Abstract

Background:

Seasonal influenza (SI) is an acute respiratory illness that exerts a severe impact on human life year-round. Yet, very few studies have been conducted to investigate its peak timing for different age groups.

Objective:

To evaluate the average peak calendar time and intensity for the incidence of SI for different age groups.

Methods:

The study uses laboratory-confirmed Influenza data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the USA with age groups 2, 11, 34, 57 and 65 years during 2009–2018 for the analysis. A non-parametric method of estimation of a circular probability distribution called likelihood cross-validation method has been utilised.

Results:

The average peak date of incidence for age groups 2 and 11 is around the last week of December. However, the date shifts to the last week of January to the first week of February for other groups. Age groups 65 and 2 years experienced the most severe impact among all.

Discussion:

The average peak time for SI incidence is between the last week of December to January with a single peak time for every age group. However, the incidence seems to develop an additional moderate peak time for age group 65.