Comparison of the age distribution of respiratory viruses
Patients were assigned into four age groups. Table 2 shows respiratory
virus detection rates in different age groups.
Prior to and throughout COVID-19,
the total positive rate reached the peak of 19.94% and 23.15%,
respectively, in 1-12-month-children, which declined with the increase
in the age of the enrolled children. In comparison to before COVID-19,
the total positive rates in 0-12-month-children during COVID-19 were
significantly higher (p < 0.05), while were significant
differences in other age groups.
The predominant viruses vary between the age groups.
Before and during COVID-19, and
although the detection in each age group did not reveal all seven
viruses, RSV was the most dominant in those <
7 years. In
2018-2019, the second dominant
viruses in <3 years group were PIV-3, in 3-7years group was
AVD. In 2020-2022, the second dominant virus in the < 1-year
group was PIV-3, and in 1-7 years was Flu A. RSV detection rate in
different age children was higher in 2020-2022 than in 2018-2019,
especially in infants (p < 0.001).