An observational study in Upper Resp Tract Infection, sponsored by Barzilai Medical Center. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Israel. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-17.
Sponsored by Barzilai Medical Center · Observational
Investigators assume that global climate changes can influence upper respiratory tract infection peak prevalence, which may have significant clinical implication, for example, by adjusting seasonal Influenzas' vaccine timing. Therefore, the investigators will collect data from electronic medical database about patients tested positive for winter seasonal respiratory tract viruses from 2022 and compare the incidence to the meteorological profile of that season.
The seasonal cycle of respiratory viral diseases has been widely recognized for thousands of years, as annual epidemics of the common cold and influenza hit the human population like clockwork in temperate regions during winter. Many explanations for this phenomenon appear in the literature. Huang et al. reported in 2017 a decrease in Influenza incidence while average temperatures increased in Queensland, Australia. Weather variability appears to be more influential on seasonal influenza transmission among younger age groups (0-14). Not only is the temperature relevant, but all meteorological parameters also vary. For example, Qi et al. found that both low and high absolute humidity might increase influenza risk in China, and the relationship varies geographically.
The meteorological service in Israel reports a marked increase in temperature when comparing 2006-2020 to 1964-1979 and 1995-2009 across all seasons. The average warming rate from 1964-1979 to 2006-2020 is approximately 1.5°C, highlighting a notable temperature difference.
The investigators assume that global climate changes can influence Influenza peak prevalence, which may have significant clinical implication by adjusting seasonal Influenzas' vaccine timing.
The study will include identification of all patients who tested positive for URT infection with seasonal virus (Influenza, RSV, Rhinovirus, Human MetaPneumoVirus, ParaInflunza) via respiratory PCR since 2022, whether in the emergency department or during hospitalization. This will be followed by a review of medical records to extract baseline data: age, sex, weight, underlying medical conditions, and the need for hospitalization, intensive care admission, mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, or renal replacement therapy.
All patients with a positive nasopharyngeal swab for a respiratory virus - Influenza, RSV, Para-Influenza, Human MetaPneumoVirus, Rhinovirus.
Exclusion Criteria:
Patients with a positive RV7 sample
Other: No Intervention: Observational Cohort
No intervention, observational retrospective study.
Incidence
Examining the incidence of severe upper respiratory tract illness (requiring hospital visits) in relation to weather changes over the last four seasons.
Time frame: 4 winter seasons, from 2022 to 2026.
Morbidity
Analysis of winter morbidity trends among patients presenting to the hospital with Influenza. Including severity of illness (need for ICU admission, mechanical ventilation and/or inotropes assistance).
Time frame: 4 winter seasons, 2022 to 2026.
Mortality
Analysis of winter mortality trends among patients presenting to the hospital with Influenza. Including mortality during hospitalization or within 30 days.
Time frame: 4 winter seasons 2022-2026
recurrence
Analysis of upper respiratory tract infection recurrence trends among patients presenting to the hospital with Influenza. Including recurrent admission within 30 days.
Time frame: 4 winter seasons, 2022-2026
Plan to share: No — There is not a plan to make IPD available.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Aug 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Barzilai Medical Center