Sign in Subscribe
Pediatrics

Respiratory Virus Season: The Hidden Dangers of Fall and Winter

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the leaves change color and the air cools, families everywhere are preparing for the return of one of the most unwelcome visitors of the season: the common cold. A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics has shed new light on the startling truth that young children are the primary carriers of respiratory viruses, with pre-kindergarten and elementary school students showing the highest rates of virus detection.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed nasal swabs and symptom reports from over 800 students and staff in a large school district in Kansas City from November 2022 to May 2023.
  • More than 85% of all participants had at least one respiratory virus detected during the study period, with over 80% experiencing an episode of acute respiratory illness.
  • Pre-K and elementary school kids had the highest rates of actual illness, with 92% of participants showing a virus detection rate, compared to 86% of middle school students, 77% of high school students, and 76% of staff.
  • The study found that young children can have up to 10 respiratory viruses a year as their immune systems are introduced to different infections for the first time.
  • The most common viruses detected were types that cause the common cold, including rhinovirus, which was found in 65% of participants, and seasonal coronavirus, detected in about 30%.
  • The virus that causes COVID-19 was found in about 15% of those studied.

Statistics:

  • 92% of pre-K and elementary school kids had a virus detected.
  • 86% of middle school students had a virus detected.
  • 77% of high school students had a virus detected.
  • 76% of staff had a virus detected.
  • More than 85% of all participants had at least one respiratory virus detected.
  • 65% of participants carried the rhinovirus.
  • 30% of participants carried types of seasonal coronavirus.
  • 15% of participants carried the virus that causes COVID-19.

Sources:

  • "Young children's nasal swabs reveal high rates of respiratory virus detection, with higher rates of illness among younger students." Pediatrics journal.
  • Dr. Jennifer Goldman, pediatrician at Children’s Mercy hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.
  • Dr. Nicole Torres, pediatrician at the University of Miami Health System.
  • Dr. Carrie Byington, co-author of the study "Viral infections in households" (published in 2015).

Read more