Kunhai Wu,1,* Huifang Huang,2,* Lufei Chen,1 Yanan Wu3 

1Blood Transfusion Department, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People’s Republic of China; 2Int Care Unit, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Clinical Laboratory, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Huifang Huang, Intensive Care Unit, Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8613906913057, Email 190596715@qq.com

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of common respiratory viruses among children with acute respiratory infections in Fuzhou from 2017 to 2023, considering the varying Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic control measures in place.
Patients and Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the detection of respiratory viruses in children diagnosed with acute respiratory infections at a tertiary hospital in Fuzhou during the study period. The analysis covers three distinct phases: Phase I (2017– 2019), Phase II (2020– 2022), and Phase III (2023). The subjects of this study included adenovirus (ADV), influenza A virus (Flu A), influenza B virus (Flu B), parainfluenza virus types 1, 2, and 3 (PIV-1, PIV-2, PIV-3), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Results: A total of 24,838 throat swab samples were collected, resulting in an overall positive detection rate of 17.87% (4439/24,838). The positive detection rates of respiratory viruses among hospitalized children in Phases I, II, and III were 18.51%, 18.27%, and 15.90%, respectively, demonstrating a statistically significant decreasing trend over the years (P < 0.001). Among the detected viruses, RSV, PIV-3, and Flu A were the most prevalent. RSV infections was most common in children under six years of age. Seasonal trends for Flu A, PIV-3, and RSV varied throughout the outbreak; specifically, the detection rate of Flu A increased during March and April in 2023, while RSV detection rebounded sharply from April to June. The incidence of mixed respiratory virus infections was 0.40% (100/24,838), the most common being PIV-3 and RSV.
Conclusion: Using COVID-19 safety rules has helped stop the spread of some viruses in kids. But these rules have not made much difference in how often RSV and PIV-3 viruses show up.

Keywords: children, coronavirus disease 2019, prevent and control measures, respiratory virus