Human Rhinovirus Association with Influenza-Like Illness and Symptomatic Treatment for Acute Respiratory Infection in a Brazilian Southern City

Abstract

Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the world's leading cause of morbidity and mortality. ARI impairs children's education and have a huge impact on the economy. Human rhinovirus (HRV) is the most prevalent agent of ARI. In this study, a clinical and epidemiological surveillance in outpatients was carried to investigate the involvement of HRV in ARI cases in the city of Guarapuava, a Brazilian southern city. Attention was also given to the most common medications used for treating ARI symptoms. Samples from 135 patients were collected from Apr to Dec from 2014, HRV was identified in nearly 20% of samples, with symptoms ranging from common cold to Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and was more frequent in individuals with 10 or less years-old. Nearly two thirds of patients reported use of at least one class of drug during the ARI episodes, such as analgesics, cough and cold preparations, and NSAIDs. In some cases and with no justifiable reason, patients also reported the use of antibiotics, possibly contributing to the development of bacterial resistance. These results show a significant detection rate of HRV in ARI cases, and highlight the impact of this virus in the local population.