Emerging Viral Infections and Their Impact on Respiratory and Otorhinolaryngological Health: Current Evidence, Clinical Challenges, and Future Perspectives
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64784/231Palabras clave:
Emerging viruses, respiratory infections, viral pneumonia, otorhinolaryngology, anosmia, dysgeusia, respiratory complications, post-viral sequelae, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, SARS-CoV-2, human metapneumovirus, Latin America, public health, respiratory diseasesResumen
Emerging viral infections continue to pose significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide due to their capacity to generate acute disease, long-term sequelae, and substantial public health burdens. Respiratory viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) have demonstrated the ability to affect both the lower respiratory tract and otorhinolaryngological structures, resulting in a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. This review aimed to analyze current scientific evidence regarding respiratory and otorhinolaryngological complications associated with emerging viral infections, with particular emphasis on epidemiological characteristics, pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical presentations, diagnostic considerations, and healthcare implications. A narrative literature review was conducted using scientific databases including PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library, complemented by reports from international health organizations. The findings revealed that viral pneumonia, persistent dyspnea, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and post-viral pulmonary dysfunction were among the most frequently reported respiratory complications. Otorhinolaryngological manifestations included anosmia, hyposmia, dysgeusia, rhinosinusitis, otitis media, dysphonia, hearing disturbances, and vestibular symptoms. The evidence also highlighted the growing importance of post-viral sequelae, particularly persistent respiratory symptoms and sensory dysfunctions that may affect quality of life long after the acute infection has resolved. Regional studies from Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador demonstrated patterns comparable to those reported internationally, emphasizing the relevance of emerging viral diseases throughout Latin America. The available evidence supports the need for continued surveillance, multidisciplinary clinical management, and further research aimed at improving the understanding, prevention, and treatment of respiratory and otorhinolaryngological complications associated with emerging viral pathogens.
Referencias
• Ali, A., Lopardo, G., Scarpellini, B., Stein, R. T., & Ribeiro, D. (2020). Systematic review on respiratory syncytial virus epidemiology in adults and the elderly in Latin America. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 90, 170–180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2019.10.025
• Alvarez-Moreno, C. A., de Araújo, E. S. A., Baumeister, E., Nogales Crespo, K. A., Kalergis, A. M., Muñoz Medina, J. E., Tsukayama, P., & Ugarte-Gil, C. (2024). Differential diagnosis in the management of acute respiratory infections through point-of-care rapid testing in a post-pandemic scenario in Latin America: Special focus on COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus. COVID, 4(2), 221–260. https://doi.org/10.3390/covid4020017
• Cherrez-Ojeda, I., Gochicoa-Rangel, L., Salles-Rojas, A., & Mautong, H. (2022). Pulmonary evaluation of post-COVID-19 patients in Ecuador. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(12), 3472. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11123472
• Chonmaitree, T., Revai, K., Grady, J. J., Clos, A., Patel, J. A., Nair, S., Fan, J., & Henrickson, K. J. (2008). Viral upper respiratory tract infection and otitis media complication in young children. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 46(6), 815–823. https://doi.org/10.1086/528685
• Cong, B., Deng, S., Wang, X., & Li, Y. (2022). The role of respiratory co-infection with influenza or respiratory syncytial virus in the clinical severity of COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Global Health, 12, 05040. https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.12.05040
• González-Andrade, F. (2023). A comprehensive study of Ecuadorian adult patients with post-COVID-19 condition. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(4), 3257. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043257
• Heikkinen, T., Thint, M., & Chonmaitree, T. (1999). Prevalence of various respiratory viruses in the middle ear during acute otitis media. The New England Journal of Medicine, 340(4), 260–264. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199901283400402
• Heikkinen, T., & Chonmaitree, T. (2003). Importance of respiratory viruses in acute otitis media. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 16(2), 230–241. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.16.2.230-241.2003
• Lao, W. P., Imam, S. A., Nguyen, S. A., & Schlosser, R. J. (2020). Anosmia, hyposmia, and dysgeusia as indicators for positive SARS-CoV-2 infection. World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 6(Suppl. 1), S22–S25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wjorl.2020.04.001
• LaRotta, J., Escobar, O., Álvarez, C. A., & González, G. (2023). COVID-19 in Latin America: A snapshot in time and the road ahead. Infectious Diseases and Therapy, 12, 389–410. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40121-022-00744-7
• Lechien, J. R., Chiesa-Estomba, C. M., De Siati, D. R., Horoi, M., Le Bon, S. D., Rodriguez, A., Dequanter, D., Blecic, S., El Afia, F., Distinguin, L., Chekkoury-Idrissi, Y., Hans, S., Delgado, I. L., Calvo-Henriquez, C., Lavigne, P., Falanga, C., Barillari, M. R., Cammaroto, G., Khalife, M., … Saussez, S. (2020). Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions as a clinical presentation of mild-to-moderate forms of COVID-19. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 277, 2251–2261. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-020-05965-1
• Leija-Martínez, J. J., Martínez-Marrero, N., López-Martínez, I., & colaboradores. (2024). Respiratory syncytial virus and other respiratory viruses in children hospitalized with acute lower respiratory tract infection in Mexico. Viruses, 16(12), 1965. https://doi.org/10.3390/v16121965
• Meng, X., Deng, Y., Dai, Z., & Meng, Z. (2020). COVID-19 and anosmia: A review based on up-to-date knowledge. American Journal of Otolaryngology, 41(5), 102581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjoto.2020.102581
• Mohammadi, K., Khan, M. A., & colaboradores. (2025). Human metapneumovirus in 2025. Infection, Genetics and Evolution, 128, 105693. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105693
• Morales-Jadán, D., Muslin, C., Viteri-Dávila, C., Coronel, B., Castro-Rodríguez, B., Vallejo-Janeta, A. P., Henríquez-Trujillo, A. R., Garcia-Bereguiain, M. A., & Rivera-Olivero, I. A. (2023). Coinfection of SARS-CoV-2 with other respiratory pathogens in outpatients from Ecuador. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1264632. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1264632
• Pedroza-Uribe, I. M., López-Gatell, H., & colaboradores. (2024). Beyond SARS-CoV-2: Epidemiological surveillance of viral respiratory infections in Jalisco, Mexico. Viruses, 16(2), 248. https://doi.org/10.3390/v16020248
• Posada, M. J. G., Ramírez, J. D., & colaboradores. (2023). Not all respiratory infections were SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia. PLOS ONE, 18(6), e0286810. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286810
• Ruuskanen, O., Lahti, E., Jennings, L. C., & Murdoch, D. R. (2011). Viral pneumonia. The Lancet, 377(9773), 1264–1275. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(10)61459-6
• Sedaghat, A. R., Gengler, I., & Speth, M. M. (2020). Olfactory dysfunction: A highly prevalent symptom of COVID-19 with public health significance. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 163(1), 12–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599820926464
• Speth, M. M., Singer-Cornelius, T., Oberle, M., Gengler, I., Brockmeier, S. J., & Sedaghat, A. R. (2020). Olfactory dysfunction and sinonasal symptomatology in COVID-19: Prevalence, severity, timing, and associated characteristics. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 163(1), 114–120. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599820929185
