BACKGROUND : Acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) amounts to 69% of communicable diseases with 41,996,260 cases
reported in the year 2018 in India. Acute upper respiratory infection (AURI) alone accounts for 85-88% of ARI cases globally
and is one of the most common childhood illnesses with mostly an acute, self-limited course. The objective of the study
was to identif y the prevalence of viral AURI in pediatric age group of 2-12 years, identif y the common causative viruses in
the region of study and to correlate them clinically as a high volume of paediatric patients coming to the opd presented
with symptoms of AURI.
METHODS : A cross-sectional out-patient department (OPD) based study was conducted in Basic emergency Obstetric
and Newborn care services (BEmONC) centre in Adyar, Chennai for a short period from 16th September, 2022 to 24th
September, 2022 with a total sample size of 65. Children in between the age group of 2 completed years to 12 completed
years who presented to the OPD with symptoms of fever, cough and rhinorrhoea for a period of 5 days or more but less
than 14 days suspected to be of viral etiology were included in the study. Demographic data, clinical features, basic blood
reports were recorded. Oropharyngeal swabs were collected and were transported in Viral Transport Medium (3ml) .
They were tested for Respiratory Synctial Virus (RSV), Influenza, Parainflenza, Adenovirus and Coronavirus by nucleic acid
amplification. The results were statistically analysed .
RESULTS : A total of 65 children with URTIs were included. Majority (53.8%) were males and 2-5 years of age (63.1%).
Common manifestations of URTI were fever (100%), cough (79%), rhinorrhoea (62%), pharyngitis (79%) and conjunctivitis
(12.3%). None (100%) of them vaccinated for Flu vaccine. Oropharyngeal swabs showed 18.46% positivity for Influenza
H1N1 and 31.3% for RSV. Majority (81.54%) of children were given supportive treatment and 18.46% received Oseltamivir.
Antibiotics were started empirically in 27.69%. Most of children (76%) recovered within one week and 100% within two
weeks. No children were hospitalized and children positive for HINI were isolated at home for 7 days. Complications or
deaths did not occur.
CONCLUSION : Majority of URTIs in children resolved with supportive treatment and do not require antibiotics. Prevention
of influenza infection through vaccination is the best strategy to reduce its disease burden and high rates of School
absenteeism.