RSV continues to circulate in southern China
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) continues to circulate in southern China. According to the Acute Respiratory Infectious Disease Sentinel Surveillance Report (Week 36, 2025) released by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention on September 11, from Week 24 (June 9–15) to Week 36 of 2025, the RSV positivity rate has ranked first for 13 consecutive weeks among infants and young children aged 0–4 years hospitalized with severe acute respiratory infections in southern provinces.
On September 15, Hu Yang, chief physician of the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, told a Health Times reporter that RSV is one of the common pathogens causing upper respiratory tract infections in children. Symptoms mainly include nasal and throat discomfort, sore throat, coughing, phlegm, and may be accompanied by mild fever or runny nose. The symptoms are similar to those of general upper respiratory tract infections, and systemic symptoms are usually milder than those of influenza.
"This year's epidemic season has started earlier than in previous years, which may be related to local climate changes, but large-scale transmission has not yet occurred," Hu explained. Upper respiratory tract infections are mostly concentrated in late summer to early autumn or the autumn-winter season, typically starting in late September to early October, with larger outbreaks occurring due to population mobility. Sudden cold weather and improper use of air conditioning may weaken children's immunity, increasing the risk of infection, while cross-infection after the start of the school term can also easily lead to transmission.
"In northern China, RSV infections are seasonal (peaking in winter and spring), while in southern regions, due to the hot and humid climate, the virus spreads quickly, leading to year-round transmission without a distinct off-season," Yin Genquan, deputy party secretary and executive president of Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center Liuzhou Hospital, told the Health Times reporter. Preventing and controlling RSV infection relies on early prevention and intervention.
"Young children are highly susceptible to the virus. Their immune systems are not yet fully developed, especially those aged 0–6, whose immunity is still in the building stage, making them more vulnerable to pathogens. Group environments such as kindergartens also increase the risk of cross-infection," Hu reminded. Some infected children may develop bronchiolitis, experiencing symptoms such as wheezing, which requires hospitalization. However, most cases are relatively mild.
"Currently, the RSV vaccine has not been widely promoted, and its protective effect is not absolute. Children with weaker immunity may still be reinfected even after developing antibodies," Hu advised. Prevention of RSV should focus on physical barriers: avoiding crowded places and reducing cross-infection. Additionally, during seasonal transitions, it is important to adjust air conditioning temperatures to prevent catching a cold, while also strengthening nutritional support to enhance children's own immunity.
Shortly after the start of the school term, many young patients with "coughing coughs" have appeared in pediatric outpatient clinics, and most have tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Affected children often need one to two weeks to recover, not only suffering greatly but also causing significant stress for their parents.
The RSV Rapid Test is an in vitro immunochromatographic assay for the qualitative detection of respiratory syncytial antigens in nasal swab specimens collected from patients with signs and symptoms of respiratory infection.This test is intended for use as an aid in the differential diagnosis of respiratory syncytial viral Infections in humans in conjunction with clinical and epidemiological risk factors.
The RSV Rapid Test is an immunochromatographic membrane assay.In the test procedure,a specimen is collected and placed for one minute into the Extraction Well of the test device containing extraction solution,during which time antigen is extracted from disrupted virus particles.The test device is then raised,tapped and laid back down onto a level surface to allow the solution in the Extraction Well to migrate through the pads containing lyophilized detector antibodies conjugated to gold dye and then through the test membrane.