# Characteristics of Adults With Non‐Hospitalized Severe Respiratory Illness: Findings From a COVID‐19 Vaccine Effectiveness Evaluation in Kenya, 2022–2023

## TL;DR

This study compares hospitalized and non-hospitalized severe respiratory illness cases in Kenya, showing similar severity and highlighting the importance of including non-hospitalized cases in disease burden estimates.

## Contribution

The study introduces the importance of non-hospitalized severe respiratory illness cases in disease burden estimation for respiratory viruses in Kenya.

## Key findings

- Symptoms and lung radiograph findings were similar between hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients.
- Both groups had critical conditions like acute respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis.
- Non-hospitalized cases showed significant severity, suggesting underestimation of disease burden.

## Abstract

Studies suggest the burden of non‐hospitalized severe respiratory illness might be substantial in Kenya. Using data from a Kenya COVID‐19 vaccine effectiveness evaluation, we compared characteristics of patients aged ≥12 years who were hospitalized with severe respiratory illness to outpatients who were referred for hospitalization and declined (non‐hospitalized). Symptom presentation and lung radiograph findings were similar among both groups, and patients in both were diagnosed with critical conditions, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (12% hospitalized; 4% non‐hospitalized) and sepsis (10% both). Findings underscore the importance of including non‐hospitalized severe illness when estimating the burden of disease for respiratory viruses.