Distribution and Clinical Features of Viral Respiratory Infections in Children After Face-To-Face Education in 2021-2022 Winter Period

Objective: Several public health measures were introduced to reduce viral transmission and disease spread at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures had the potential to impact the transmission of other respiratory viruses. In September 2021, schools started face to face in and an increase in viral respiratory infections was observed. This study aims to determine the distribution and clinical features of viral agents in this period when complete face-to-face education was started for the first time in Turkey. Material and Methods: Diagnosis and clinical data of the pediatric patients who were tested for respiratory viral infections between October 1, 2021-January 1, 2022 were retrospectively retrieved from hospital records. Viral agents detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the nasopharyngeal aspirate samples obtained at the first application of the patients during the pandemic period were investigated. Results: There were 404 patients who were diagnosed with respiratory tract infections and tested for respiratory viruses. The leading viral agents in children who applied to our center between October and December 2021 were COVID-19 (32.7%), multiple viral agents (23.9%), RSV (15.3%) and rhinovirus (8.7%). 43.8% of patients diagnosed with RSV needed hospitalization. Conclusion: Our study shows that after complete face-to-face education and, the viral diversity is observed again in this winter period like before the pandemic. The high rate of hospitalization in RSV cases was remarkable.