Laboratory Diagnosis and Control of Respiratory Virus Infections

Respiratory virus infections are among the most common illnesses worldwide, with a clinical spectrum ranging from the common cold to severe pneumonia.These infections can produce significant complications, especially in patients belonging to high-risk populations, including the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, and patients with underlying medical conditions.Relaxation of public health measures following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a shift in respiratory virus epidemiology, underscoring the growing importance of rapid and accurate diagnostic approaches.This review provides a comprehensive overview of major respiratory viruses, including their structural characteristics, modes of transmission, specimen collection and transport guidelines, diagnostic methodologies, and virus-specific infection control strategies.Integration of molecular diagnostics with effective infection control plays a critical role in enhancing public health.Infection prevention strategies tailored to each virus's transmission route are essential for patient safety and public health.This review aims to support improving clinical diagnostics and contribute to more effective public health strategies for viral respiratory infection management.