Shanghai Children’s Medical Center: This week, the detection rate of rhinovirus reached 15%, while there was a significant increase in influenza A cases last week.

In the past two days, Shanghai has experienced rain and a drop in temperature, making the weather feel damp and cold, which has led to a rise in respiratory diseases. According to the latest statistics from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the positive detection rate of rhinovirus, a major respiratory pathogen monitored in southern regions, ranks first and is fluctuating at a high level, while the influenza virus shows a significant upward trend.

On December 11, reporters observed many children with cold and fever symptoms in the internal medicine department of the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center. Parents reported similar symptoms among their children.

“There’s coughing before sleep and some nasal congestion during sleep,” one parent said. “The cough is quite severe, and there’s a runny nose.” Another added, “There’s been a long-term runny nose and coughing.”

Experts from the laboratory department of the children’s center noted that since the school year began in September, the detection rate of rhinovirus has increased, reaching 15% this week, which is about three times higher than early September.

Many parents may be unfamiliar with rhinovirus. Compared to influenza virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, rhinovirus is often overlooked. Experts explained that rhinovirus is well-known to outpatient doctors as it is one of the most common pathogens causing the common cold. It has been less frequently tested in the past, leading to lower public awareness. The main symptoms of rhinovirus include sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, and fever, which are generally mild and self-limiting, so parents need not worry excessively.

However, experts warn that rhinovirus is a significant threat to children with asthma. If severe coughing or wheezing occurs, it is important to seek medical attention. Yin Yong, the director of the respiratory department at the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, stated that rhinovirus tends to reside in the nasal area, hence its name. Its virulence is relatively weak, much less than that of the influenza virus, and it is more prevalent in the autumn and winter months, with detection rates potentially reaching around 40%. Epidemiological studies indicate that one subtype of rhinovirus C can exacerbate acute asthma attacks, and such cases have already been observed in the hospital. If a child has asthma, it is crucial to continue using asthma medications under a doctor’s guidance to achieve long-term stability.

Additionally, there is a need to be cautious about the spread of the influenza virus. Northern regions, which experienced an early winter, have already entered a peak period for influenza, and with the recent cold air moving south, there is a noticeable increase in H1N1 cases in southern areas.

Wu Ying, the chief technician of the laboratory department at the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, reported that since last week, the positive rate for H1N1 has significantly increased, estimated to be around 30% to 40%. Currently, H1N1 cases are more prevalent, while H3N2 typically appears positive after H1N1.

Experts recommend that vaccination against influenza remains the best preventive measure. Zhang Ting, the director of the infectious disease department at the Shanghai Children’s Hospital, noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that the Yamagata strain of influenza B is now almost nonexistent, so the WHO recommends that a trivalent vaccine, which includes H1N1, H3N2, and the Victoria strain of influenza B, is sufficient. They continue to encourage children, especially those with underlying health conditions and those living with elderly family members, to get vaccinated.

(The original title was “Beware! H1N1 Infections Are Rapidly Rising! The Respiratory Disease with the Highest Detection Rate Recently Is Ta!”)