Acute respiratory infections are significant causes of illness in the population during winter months,producing a significant impact, on health but also on the economy ed society.

Human respiratory viruses such as Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), SARS-CoV-2, Metapneumovirus, and Rhinovirus are the main causes of acute respiratory infections.

In this regard, it is crucial implementing surveillance to understand the epidemiological, clinical, and economic impact of the main respiratory pathogens.

The Interuniversity Research Center on Influenza and Other Transmissible Infections (CIRI-IT) is coordinating a prospective study in Genoa’s area (Italy) to collect epidemiological information and disease burden (complications, hospitalizations, and costs) of different respiratory pathogens in population aged 18 years and older, with the aim of supporting future prevention policies.

Study design: prospective observational study in primary care (outpatient setting). The study involves the collection of nasopharyngeal swabs for the detection of respiratory pathogens and the monitoring of patients for 30 days from the onset of the disease.

Study period: from week 47 of 2025 to week 17 of 2026.