quency of positive samples collectively indicated that the frequencies of both pathogens substantially reduced during the pandemic because of infection control measures. Conclusion: The fact that the COVID-19 pandemic forces us to comply with infection control rules and change our lifestyle shows us that these rules are very important not only in controlling the pandemic, but also in controlling other viral infections

ABSTRACT

Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has caused many changes in our lifestyle, such as the flow of our daily lives, communication between individuals, traveling, eating, and drinking habits. These changes have reduced the risk of viral infections. In this study, it was aimed to examine the changes in the frequency of rotavirus and enteric adenovirus in children due to changes in lifestyle such as hand hygiene, physical distance and eating habits in individuals before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.Material and Methods: We analyzed data obtained from the laboratory electronic records of hospitals in our region to assess the changes of rotavirus and adenovirus frequency and number of patients admitted to the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic period compared to pre-pandemic years. Rotavirus and enteric adenovirus antigens were studied using a qualitative immunochromatographic method. Results: Between January 2018 and July 2021, a total of 68.504 patient samples were tested, 60.513 (88.3%) before the COVID-19 pandemic and 7.991 (11.7%) during the pandemic. Mean age of the patients was deter-mined as 4.7 years. Before the pandemic, a total of 6.815 (11.3%) sam-ples for rotavirus and 1.873 (3.1%) samples for adenovirus were found positive. During the pandemic period, a total the 598 (7.5%) samples for rotavirus and 164 (2%) samples for adenovirus were found positive. Monthly median test numbers for rotavirus and adenovirus significant-ly fell about 75% (1.926 vs 493, p< 0.001). In addition, monthly median positivity rates of rotavirus (10.9% vs 7.1%, p= 0.002) and adenovirus (2.9% vs 1.8%, p< 0.001) reduced about 35% and 38%, respectively, after the onset of the pandemic as compared to the pre-pandemic years. The decrease in mean monthly test numbers and the reduction in the fre- quency of positive samples collectively indicated that the frequencies of both pathogens substantially reduced during the pandemic because of infection control measures.Conclusion: The fact that the COVID-19 pandemic forces us to comply with infection control rules and change our lifestyle shows us that these rules are very important not only in controlling the pandemic, but also in controlling other viral infections.