OBJECTIVES

: To describe the impact and severity of hospitalizations related to respiratory viral infections using data from weeks 2017-37 to 2018-19 in the Valencia Region of Spain.

METHODS

: All consenting admitted patients were included in the study if they were non-institutionalized, residents in any of the participating hospitals' catchment areas, not discharged from a previous hospital admission within 30 days, had an influenza-like illness (ILI, only for patients ≥5 years old) and were hospitalized within 7 days of the onset of symptoms. Demographic and clinical information was collected by interviewing and/or from clinical records. Swabs were tested by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), metapneumovirus, parainfluenza, rhinovirus/enterovirus, adenovirus, coronavirus and bocavirus. Hospitalization incidence rates were calculated by virus and age. Severity was explored through Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, death in hospital, mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and the length of hospitalization.

RESULTS

: The hospitalization incidence rates related to respiratory viral infections were 1062.89, 31.38, 36.12 and 434.64 per 100,000 in patients <5, 5 to <18, 18 to <65 and ≥65 years old (y.o.), respectively. The incidence rates were especially high in children <1 y.o. and in adults ≥85 y.o.: 3311.94 and 1044.77 per 100,000, respectively. The highest rates were detected for influenza, rhinovirus/enterovirus and RSV: 63.11, 40.20 and 25.81 per 100,000, respectively. Among infected patients, 2% were admitted to the ICU, 4% needed mechanical ventilation and 4% died in hospital. No differences in severity were detected among viruses. The median length of hospitalization among infected patients was 5 days (Interquartile Range, IQR: 3-8 days).

CONCLUSIONS

: Respiratory viral infections affected mainly young children and elderly people. Influenza, rhinovirus/enterovirus and RSV were the most commonly detected infections. No differences in severity were detected between the assessed viruses.