Persistence of viruses in the nasopharynx of apparently healthy children aged 0-5 years. Results of investigations performed in 1982-83.

Virus isolation attempts were made with nasopharyngeal secretions from 400 apparently healthy 0-5-year-old children of a semi-closed community. Repeated virus isolations were achieved in 25 cases subjected to periodic investigations in 1982-83. One-two reisolation(s), 1-5 months apart, of the initially detected viral agents could be obtained in 15 out of the 25 children. The following viruses were reisolated (in decreasing order of frequency): adenoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, Coxsackie B1 virus, herpes virus type 1, parainfluenza virus type 3. The problems raised by the carriage of respiratory viruses in the nasopharynx of apparently healthy children are discussed.