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).