Acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI's) are the most common infectious disease in humans. With the appearance of molecular techniques the recovery of viruses has dramatically increased. Nowadays virologists can quickly discriminate virological families and related viruses from emerging viruses and consequently identify novel viruses. Many new respiratory viruses have been identified in children in the past 15 years. In this review we shortly discuss novel respiratory viruses and their pathogenic role in pediatric respiratory disease. Advantages and drawbacks of the technique and our current knowledge will be discussed. We will conclude this review with a general discussion on the future role of molecular diagnostic virology in the clinic. adults (6.1 episodes per year under the age of 1, 3-6 episodes per year between the age of 1-5 and 2.4 episodes per year between the age of 15-19). Disease severity depends on age, underlying condition and type of virus. ARVIs account for huge numbers of doctor's visits and days lost from work and school. They are a leading cause of global mortality and morbidity in children. Moreover, respiratory viral infections are an important driver of unnecessary usage of antibiotics. Unfortunately prevention and treatment of the majority of respiratory virus infections is not possible with the exception of influenza [1].Although much research has been done on the epidemiology and burden of viral respiratory tract infections the size of the problem is underestimated. Due to the lack of routine testing for (multiple) viruses and the limitation that a majority of infected patients will not visit a doctor.