The Tecumseh Study. XI. Occurrence of acute enteric illness in the community.

Occurrence of acute enteric illnesses was examined in Tecumseh, Michigan, during the period 1965-1971. Incidence of illness was highest under age 3 years, fell thereafter and rose again during the age group 20-29 years. Below age 3 years, frequency was higher in males than in females, but above that age the pattern was reversed. Overall, the incidence of illness was 1.2 per person year. Approximately 65 per cent of illnesses occurred in the autumn-winter, and the remainder in spring-summer. Activity restriction was observed in 52 per cent of illnesses. Respiratory symptoms were reported in 27 per cent of enteric illnesses. The enteric-respiratory illness complex, which appeared to be a distinct entity, was more severe than other illnesses in term of activity restriction, fever, physician consultation and duration. A portion of the respiratory illnesses associated with the isolation of certain respiratory agents was found to include distinct enteric symptoms.