Recently, the positivity rate for nasal virus testing has significantly increased among nationwide emergency room cases resembling influenza. Many people have taken to social media to express that they have fallen ill. Experts point out that the current active nasal virus is not an isolated phenomenon but rather occurring against the backdrop of multiple respiratory viruses circulating simultaneously.
On January 7th, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that the positivity rate for nasal virus testing has shown a notable rise in nationwide emergency room cases resembling influenza, surpassing respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in some southern provinces and ranking second only to the influenza virus.
According to official sources, the nasal virus, also known as human rhinovirus (HRV), is a small single-stranded RNA virus and one of the main culprits causing the common cold. It is highly prevalent in both adults and children, being the most common pathogen responsible for acute upper respiratory infections in children (accounting for 30% to 50%).
Reports from “Red Star News” indicate that besides the influenza virus, the nasal virus is one of the main pathogens causing respiratory symptoms. If symptoms such as persistent fever for more than 3 days, lethargy, shortness of breath, or dehydration in infants and young children occur, seeking medical attention promptly is advised.
According to “Straits Network,” since the onset of winter, many individuals have been experiencing cold symptoms like nasal congestion and runny nose. Upon examination, it was found that they were infected with the nasal virus. When infected individuals sneeze or cough, the nasal virus can spread through droplets to surrounding people. It can also survive for several hours at room temperature, making everyday items potential vectors for the virus. Touching objects contaminated by the virus (such as doorknobs, utensils, toys, towels, etc.) and then touching one’s mouth, nose, or eyes can lead to infection, potentially exacerbating respiratory conditions in patients who already have existing respiratory illnesses.
In rare cases, patients may also experience symptoms like conjunctival congestion, tearing, photophobia, eyelid swelling, and may develop sinusitis or otitis media. Especially in children, the symptoms following nasal virus infection can be more severe than in adults and may even be accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues.
The report mentions that there are currently no specific antiviral drugs or vaccines for the nasal virus, with non-pharmaceutical prevention being the primary focus.
On social media, many netizens have expressed that they are experiencing cold symptoms but are unsure of which virus they have contracted.
Weibo member “Dreaming Chen” posted, “Nasal virus infections are often mistaken for the common cold, but they are not the same. Nasal virus infection is the primary cause of the common cold, but not completely synonymous with it. It has unique characteristics in terms of pathogens, symptoms, and impacts. Post-infection, patients typically experience nasal symptoms like clear nasal discharge, nasal congestion, sneezing, alongside discomfort in the throat and mild coughing, with systemic symptoms such as fever and fatigue.”
“Dudu Soft Moe Round”: I’ve caught it already.
“Amynew_0818”: I might have a nasal virus cold.
“Lin Xile Yayaya”: I just had rhinitis, could it be the nasal virus?
“It’s well known to the public”: My whole family has nasal congestion and runny noses, it’s really bothersome.
“White Wei Morgen”: I’ve been unwell for 10 days after getting infected, and it even led to frontal sinusitis.
“53 degrees 10781”: Fortunately, elementary students are on vacation.
“Clouds Have a Little Moon ii”: What is the nasal virus? I’ve had a headache for over a month, medication isn’t helping… How do I treat it?
“Ke Ke Ke Yi You”: My nose has been stuffy recently, not sure if it’s a nasal virus infection.
Since entering deep winter last November, respiratory infectious diseases have been on the rise in mainland China, with multiple viruses circulating concurrently.
On January 6th, the People’s Daily Health Client reported that according to the latest data from the Chinese CDC, respiratory infectious diseases in China remain at a high incidence, and respiratory syncytial virus and nasal virus are also active to a certain extent.
Recently, many people have reported recurrent symptoms of influenza-like illness, appearing to have secondary infections. “Why did my flu subside for only a few days, then I had fever and cold symptoms again?” “My flu seems to be fluctuating, getting serious again in just a couple of days…”
Hu Yang, Deputy Chief Physician of the Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Department at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, stated that patients may have been infected with different viruses twice. Clinical observations have shown that besides influenza, the proportion of patients infected with respiratory syncytial virus has increased in recent days. There are also some patients in the wards simultaneously infected with influenza A and COVID-19, all exhibiting signs of a “secondary infection.”
Li Tong, Chief Physician of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Beijing You’an Hospital, explained that if a person is re-infected with the same influenza strain within 1-2 weeks of the initial infection, it may be due to inadequate recovery from the first infection. If flu symptoms reappear after a recovery period of over 2 weeks, it could be a second infection, but generally not from the same virus strain.