Acute Respiratory Infection

General Information

Acute respiratory infection refers to infection caused by respiratory viruses including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, RSV and other respiratory viruses eg human metapneumovirus.

The respiratory virus season in the Northern Hemisphere runs from October (Week 40) of one calendar year to May (Week 20) of the next calendar year (for instance from week 40 2023 to week 20 2024). Based on historical surveillance data, we know that respiratory viruses are most likely to circulate at detectable levels during this time period however, in Ireland we monitor respiratory viruses all year round.

Surveillance

• Respiratory Virus Notification Data Hub - includes COVID-19, influenza, RSV data
• COVID-19 surveillance reports
• Influenza, RSV and other respiratory virus surveillance reports
• Severe Acute Respiratory Infection surveillance reports

Acute Respiratory Infection case definition*

^{*Please note this case definition is for surveillance and management and pertains to RCF settings for the Winter/Spring 2023/2024. This case definition aligns with the European Commission/ European Centre for Disease}

• Sudden onset of symptoms
  AND
  At least one of the following four respiratory symptoms:
• Cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, coryza
  AND
• A clinician’s judgement that the illness is due to an infection

Other relevant case definitions

• COVID-19
• Influenza A & B virus
• RSV

Acute respiratory infection guidance

• Guidance on testing for Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) in Residential Care Facilities (RCF) - Winter 2023/2024
• Respiratory Virus Testing Pathway for Nursing Homes
• Public Health & Infection Prevention & Control Guidelines on the Prevention and Management of Cases and Outbreaks of COVID-19, Influenza & other Respiratory Infections in Residential Care Facilities
• Algorithm for Management of adults and children presenting with symptoms of acute respiratory infections (ARI) at Primary Care Facilities when influenza is circulating
• Algorithm: Guidance on testing for Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) in Residential Care Facilities (RCF) Winter 2023/2024
• Dynamic Public Health Risk Assessment (DPHRA) - Advice for hospitals, care settings and Public Health Area Teams

Webinar

• Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) Guidance Webinar: Winter preparedness: are we ready? December 7, 2023
• ARI Webinar Slides PDF

Other respiratory virus guidance

• Influenza
• COVID-19 
• RSV

 Last updated: 19 January 2024