Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) companionship with rhinovirus (RV) in children with respiratory tract infection (RTV) under five years

Aims: Co-infections of rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are more common or severe infection, so this study aims to determine co-infection of respiratory tract infection (RTI). Methodology and results: 300 male and female children under five, who visited the Emergency Department of Pediatrics at Beiji Hospital, were the subject of a cross-sectional study. The study covered the period from October 2021 to the end of June 2022. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent test (ELISA) was used to detect the presence of antibodies to the human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) and human rhinovirus (HRV) in a serum sample. A single RSV and a single RV infection were found in 33(11%) and 39(13%). However, 87(29%) RSV co-infections were with RV infections. Children under one year were more susceptible to co-infection (58%). The proportion of females (62.06%) was a higher co-infection rate than males. Children with RSV co-infection with RV were more likely to experience fever (77.11%) and bronchiolitis (73.56%). Conclusion, significance and impact of study: It was concluded that both RSV and RV are common in children under the age of five, that when the two viruses coexist, each causes clinical symptoms, that children under one year are most vulnerable to co-infection, and that the age distribution of cases indicates the need for RSV and RV vaccines that can protect children early in life.