Study of Viral Respiratory Diseases in Children in Rawalpindi/Islamabad Area

Abstract

This study was carried out to find aetiological agents of respiratory diseases & it showed that a large number of viruses can evoke respiratory symptoms, as can bacteria and certain fungi. In children mostly the respiratory infections appear clinically to be bacterial in nature but this study has shown that 504 cases (29.63%) out of 1701 cases in children were having respiratory diseases of viral origin. During the year July 1981 to June 1982, 447 isolations (33.01%) were positive for viruses out of 1345 isolations. Although more cases were processed for viral agents during the current year i.e. July 1982 to June 1983 but prevalence of viral respiratory diseases was found slightly low as compared with previous year. 33 isolations were positive for RSV. In children under one year of age respiratory syncytial virus was found to be most prevalent viral respiratory agent (63.64%) while 12 isolations (36.36%) were positive in age group of 1 to 5 years. RSV produced symptoms of bronchiolitis & pneoamonitis in both infants and children. Fara-influenza viruses were also found to be more important cause of these syndromes. Rhinoviruses were also found to be prevalent (8.53%) and were the cause of common cold in children. Of bacterial agents 148 specimens were found positive for B-haemolytic streptococci. Various bacterial agents were also tested for sensitivity to antibiotics. A few additional drugs than the previous year were tested during the year under report and erythromycin, cloxacilline and vibramycine were found most effective.