Exposure as a Factor in the Age Distribution of Measles, Diphtheria, and Poliomyelitis

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The variation in the occurrence of measles, diphtheria, and poliomyelitis in non-immune persons at different ages would appear to be due in part to a difference in the frequency with which persons of different ages are exposed to respective viruses, and in part to a difference in the frequency with which persons of different ages are infected under the same apparent degree of exposure. The differences in the risk of infection at different ages in measles, diphtheria, and poliomyelitis would appear to be due to quantitative or qualitative differences in personal, social or household habits of persons of different ages, which habits constitute sanitary habits in the present connection. However, there is nothing in this which would detract from the view, previously expressed, that whether disease is to be the result of infection in a non-immune individual[long dash]at least so far as poliomyelitis is concerned[long dash]is determined by autarceo-logic factors. In fact, since this study indicates that variation in these diseases with age can be accounted for wholly by exposure, infection, and immunity, it implies that autarcesis, although varying with climate and possibly with season, does not vary with age. This study suggests further investigation of household habits at different ages looking to a clearer definition of the degree of exposure necessary for infection and possible improved sanitary measures against the spread of "contact" infections.

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit: