RESPIRATORY VIRUSES IN JAMAICA: A VIROLOGIC AND SEROLOGIC STUDY

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Abstract
The results presented in this paper described a survey for hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies to one type C and 2 type B influenza viruses in Jamaican sera. Antibodies to all 3 strains were found to be very common and the distribution by age of influenza B antibodies indicates that infections by the type B viruses occur in Jamaica primarily in the 5- to 9-year and 10- to 14-year age groups. A fairly widespread immunity to influenza B infection is evident in early adult life. The incidence and titer levels of hemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies to type C influenza virus increase throughout life. Primary infection is acquired during childhood and the increasing antibody titer levels with age suggest that reinfections are not uncommon.