The Economic Burden of Non–Influenza-Related Viral Respiratory Tract Infection in the United States

Abstract

RESPIRATORY TRACT infection is the most common illness in humans. Largely because of the high attack rate, respiratory tract infections are associated with significant patient morbidity and related mortality. In developing countries, morbidity due to respiratory tract infections may be at least as severe as that in industrialized countries; for children younger than 5 years, these infections are the leading cause of death.¹