Respiratory Infection Statistical Data in Scotland Edit

This dataset provides information on number of new weekly confirmed cases from influenza and other respiratory pathogens in Scotland, including rates at Scotland and NHS Board. Age groups and sex breakdowns are also available in this dataset.\r\nRespiratory infection can be caused by a number of pathogens and there is no single surveillance system that describes the onset, severity and impact of SARS-CoV-2, influenza and other respiratory pathogens, or the success of any control measures. In Scotland, respiratory infection and associated morbidity are monitored using enhanced surveillance, which combines data from microbiological sampling and laboratory test results from community and hospital settings with data from syndromic surveillance of NHS 24 calls, primary care consultations for respiratory symptoms, and hospital (including intensive care) admissions. The intelligence generated from the different areas of surveillance provide a comprehensive picture of current respiratory illness in Scotland. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, most influenza infections would be expected to occur in the winter months with a peak between December and March. There are three types of influenza virus, Type A, B and C, that cause illness in humans. Types A and B more commonly detected through testing. The virus undergoes some level of genetic change each year, often referred to as shift (major genetic change) or drift (minor genetic change); this is most notable for influenza A viruses. This genetic change causes different strains of the virus to predominate each season. As such, the number of people affected each year depends on how well the vaccine is matched against the circulating strain and how many people access the vaccination. \r\nThe key non-influenza respiratory pathogens include adenovirus, seasonal coronaviruses (non-SARS-CoV-2), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), human parainfluenza virus (HPIV), Mycoplasma pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and rhinovirus. These mostly cause mild upper respiratory tract symptoms, such as the common cold, but infection can sometimes lead to more severe lower respiratory tract complications, especially in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms may also include a variety of non-respiratory presentations.\r\n

Resources

• Respiratory Scotland CSV (Details)
• Respiratory by Health Board CSV (Details)
• Respiratory by Age Group CSV (Details)
• Respiratory by Age Group and Sex CSV (Details)
• Respiratory by Sex CSV (Details)

Additional Info