Abstract
Respiratory infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. A number of novel respiratory tract viruses have been identified recently as significant causes of acute upper and lower respiratory tract illness in children. Highly sensitive modern molecular techniques have been used to identify emerging viruses and to re-examine the epidemiology and impact of previously known viruses. This review will describe the importance and clinical features of several viruses, including human metapneumovirus, coronaviruses, human bocavirus and rhinoviruses.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
Dr Williams has served as a consultant for Alnylam and MedImmune. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.