Epidemiology and Prevention of Acute Respiratory Disease in Naval Recruits

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Abstract
Ten years'' experience with agents related to respiratory disease at Geat Lakes, Illinois, indicate the relative endemicity of adenovirus and streptococcal agents. Influenza virus types change antigenically throughout the years, but the appearance of either influenza A or B has occurred with almost yearly frequency, especially during late winter or early spring. These outbreaks result in sharp rises in ARD [acute respiratory disease] rates, have had little effect on pneumonia incidence. Adenovirus is associated with ARD and sometimes appears to be involved with pneumonia. Beta hemoly-i ic Group A Streptococci outbreaks also appears to cause elevated ARD rates. Both the isolation of these bacterial agents and ARD incidence is lowered by mass pencillin prophylaxis. Agents such as rhino-virus and Mycoplasma also contribute toward the over-all ARD and pneumonia incidence.