Healthcare Workers Have More Frequent and Less Severe Influenza-Like Illness Than Non-healthcare Workers: Findings From the PAIVED Study - Summary - MDSpire

Healthcare Workers Have More Frequent and Less Severe Influenza-Like Illness Than Non-healthcare Workers: Findings From the PAIVED Study

  • By

  • Ryan Liberg

  • Kat Schmidt

  • Christina Schofield

  • Anuradha Ganesan

  • Wesley Campbell

  • David Hrncir

  • Tahaniyat Lalani

  • Tyler Warkentien

  • Katrin Mende

  • Ana E Markelz

  • Catherine M Berjohn

  • Laurie Housel

  • Jitendrakumar R Modi

  • Adam Saperstein

  • Alan Williams

  • Bruce McClenathan

  • Christina Spooner

  • Srihari Seshadri

  • Ryan C Maves

  • John H Powers

  • Robert J O’Connell

  • Mark P Simons

  • Simon D Pollett

  • Christian L Coles

  • Rhonda E Colombo

  • Timothy Burgess

  • Stephanie A Richard

  • January 12, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To compare the incidence, severity, and duration of influenza-like illness (ILI) between healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-healthcare workers (non-HCWs) in the PAIVED study, with a focus on understanding the implications for vaccination strategies.

Key Findings:
  • HCWs reported a higher incidence of ILI (24.1%) compared to non-HCWs (17.4%), P < .01, with a relative risk of 1.16 (95% CI 1.08, 1.24).
  • HCWs experienced less severe ILI symptoms, with fewer days of fever (0.36 fewer days, 95% CI -0.60, -0.13) and missed work (0.28 more days, 95% CI 0.01, 0.55) compared to non-HCWs.
  • No significant differences in specific pathogen detection between HCWs and non-HCWs.
Interpretation:

Despite higher ILI incidence, HCWs reported less severe symptoms, suggesting a potential difference in illness experience or immune response compared to non-HCWs, which may inform future vaccination strategies.

Limitations:
  • The study may not account for all confounding factors influencing ILI incidence and severity, such as underlying health conditions or environmental exposures.
  • Data collected was based on self-reporting, which may introduce bias and affect the accuracy of symptom reporting.
Conclusion:

Healthcare workers experience more frequent but less severe influenza-like illnesses compared to non-healthcare workers, highlighting the need for further strategies to mitigate ILI risk in this population, including targeted vaccination efforts and education.

Original Source(s)

Healthcare Workers Have More Frequent and Less Severe Influenza-Like Illness Than Non-healthcare Workers: Findings From the PAIVED Study

  • by Ryan Liberg, Kat Schmidt, Christina Schofield, Anuradha Ganesan, Wesley Campbell, David Hrncir, Tahaniyat Lalani, Tyler Warkentien, Katrin Mende, Ana E Markelz, Catherine M Berjohn, Laurie Housel, Jitendrakumar R Modi, Adam Saperstein, Alan Williams, Bruce McClenathan, Christina Spooner, Srihari Seshadri, Ryan C Maves, John H Powers, Robert J O’Connell, Mark P Simons, Simon D Pollett, Christian L Coles, Rhonda E Colombo, Timothy Burgess, Stephanie A Richard

  • January 12, 2026

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