Respiratory virus infection in hospitalized children in Austria 1979-1982. Diagnosis by immunofluorescence.

Nasal secretions from 349 Austrian children under six years of age who were hospitalized for respiratory illnesses were screened for the presence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus 1 and 3, adenovirus and influenza A virus over a period of four years by the immunofluorescence technique. 35% of the specimens were found to be positive for one of the five viruses investigated. RSV was detected in 31% of the nasal secretions and was thus the most frequently encountered causative agent of respiratory infections in the age group investigated. RSV infections occurred almost exclusively in the winter months and were mainly associated with bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Only sporadic infections were found with one of the other viruses investigated.