At a press conference, Wang Quan, chief physician of Beijing Children’s Hospital, indicated that respiratory infections in children are predominantly caused by viruses and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, with influenza viruses being the most common.

The specialist explained that childhood influenza is characterized by fever, sometimes accompanied by headache, myalgia and general malaise, in addition to respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat and runny nose.

Compared to adults, children may experience more gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and lack of appetite.

Most cases present with an acute, self-limited course, with fever lasting two to three days and recovery in about a week.

Recommended treatment includes antiviral medications specific for childhood influenza, which are most effective if administered within 48 hours of symptom onset.

Wang noted that antibiotics are not useful against influenza viruses and stressed the importance of symptomatic treatment, such as the use of antipyretics according to the child’s age and weight, as well as medications to relieve cough and nasal congestion.

Recent data from the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention show an increase in the incidence of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) among children under 14 years of age.

Jiao Xianting, an infectious disease specialist in Shanghai, noted that this virus, although little known, is not new and has been present as a common cause of acute respiratory infections for years.

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