Statistics and models to predict shedding
T-tests with equal variances and chi-squared tests were used to compare
continuous and categorical demographic and symptom severity variables.
Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare binomial proportions between
experimental and natural cases for fine and coarse shedding subjects and
samples. Welsh’s t-test for unequal variance and the Wilcoxon rank sum
test were used to compare GM and median aerosol shedding, respectively.
Tests were two-tailed. Unadjusted effects on risk and rate of fine
aerosol shedding were estimated for symptom scores, observed cough
count, age, and sex. Analysis of shedding risk used all exhaled breath
observations. Analysis of shedding quantity used the same predictors
refined to the maximum shedding day per shedder.