Environmental modifications for controlling acute respiratory disease

Military barracks were divided into 2 man and 4 man cubicles in an effort to control acute respiratory disease (ARD). During 2 consecutive ARD seasons, the incidence of ARD symptoms, sick call rates, hospitalization rates, and specific infection rates for pathogens known to be associated with ARD were studied. Several significant differences were observed when the experimental barracks were compared with the control barracks, but no consistent improvement was demonstrated, thus suggesting that ARD is transmitted by aerosol as well as by direct contact. Adenovirus was the most commonly isolated pathogen. The clinical symptoms associated with adenovirus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections were found to be identical with the exception of a greater frequency of throat involvement associated with adenovirus infections.