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Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus during the COVID-19 pandemic: time for a new paradigm?
  • +10
  • Emma Binns,
  • marianne koenraads,
  • Lidia Hristeva,
  • Alix Flamant,
  • Sebastián Baier Grabner,
  • Mervin Loi,
  • Johanna Lempainen,
  • Elise Osterheld,
  • Bazlin Ramly,
  • jessica chakakala-chaziy,
  • Niveditha Enaganthi,
  • Silvia Simó Nebot,
  • Danilo Buonsenso
Emma Binns
Department of Paediatrics, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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marianne koenraads
Paediatric Specialist Trainee, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool, UK
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Lidia Hristeva
General Paediatrics/Neonates, UK
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Alix Flamant
Paediatric Resident, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
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Sebastián Baier Grabner
Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Klinik Ottakring, Vienna Healthcare Group, Vienna, Austria
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Mervin Loi
Children’s Intensive Care Unit, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore
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Johanna Lempainen
Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Biomedicine and Clinical Microbiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital
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Elise Osterheld
Department of Paediatrics, Centre Hospitalier de Mayotte, Mayotte, France
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Bazlin Ramly
Paediatric Department, Children Health Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
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jessica chakakala-chaziy
Paediatric Department, Muzu Central Hospital, Ministry of Health, Malawi
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Niveditha Enaganthi
Paediatric Department,Sri Ramachandra Medical College & RI ,Chennai,Tamil Nadu,India
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Silvia Simó Nebot
Infectious diseases and systemic inflammatory response in Paediatrics, Infectious Diseases Unit, Sant Joan de Déu Hospital Research Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
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Danilo Buonsenso
Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesu
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Abstract

Seasonal epidemics of influenza and the respiratory syncytial virus are the cause of substantial morbidity and mortality among children. During the global COVID-19 pandemic, the epidemiology of these viruses seems to have changed dramatically. In Australia and New Zealand, a significant decrease in both influenza and bronchiolities have been noticed during usual peak seasons. Data from early months of winter seasons in Europe are showing similar trends. This current scenario imposes a reconsideration of the paradigm that toddlers and young schoolchildren are the main drivers of seasonal RSV outbreaks and respiratory epidemics in general. In this paper, we summarize current literature, address current knowledge or role of adults in the respiratory syncitial virus epidemiology, describe the lessons learned from pertussis epidemics and call the international community to better understand the community transmission dynamics of respiratory infections in all age-groups. This can allow the establishment of better and more affordable preventive measures in the whole population level, which can ultimately save millions of child lives.
03 Jun 2021Submitted to Pediatric Pulmonology
04 Jun 2021Submission Checks Completed
04 Jun 2021Assigned to Editor
09 Jun 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
19 Jul 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
21 Jul 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Major
23 Jul 20211st Revision Received
24 Jul 2021Assigned to Editor
24 Jul 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
24 Jul 2021Submission Checks Completed
30 Sep 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
02 Oct 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
Jan 2022Published in Pediatric Pulmonology volume 57 issue 1 on pages 38-42. 10.1002/ppul.25719