Respiratory Syncytial Virus - RSV

Respiratory Syncytial Virus - RSV

 

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most common causative agents of lower respiratory illnesses (including bronchiolitis and pneumonia) in infants and young children worldwide.

Epidemiology

  • Incidence
    • Epidemics occur in late fall and winter  
  • Age
    • In children 1 year of age or younger, 50% infected
    • By age 3, 100% infected
    • Immunity wanes with age and new disease may occur in patients older than 65 years
  • Transmission
    • Via droplets

Organism

  • RSV, an enveloped RNA virus, is a member of the Paramyxoviridae family

Clinical Presentation

  • Symptoms
    • Children – Bronchiolitis  
      • RSV can be fatal; sudden deaths, which occur in infants with respiratory disease, are often believed to be due to this virus
    • Adults
      • Infection in adults is generally mild, but RSV may cause severe pneumonitis in immunocompromised adults and the elderly
      • In older children and adults, RSV can cause an influenza-like syndrome, bronchopneumonia or exacerbations of chronic bronchitis

Diagnosis

  • Laboratory testing
    • DFA – Rapid Test
    • Antibodies – may need serial serum testing

Treatment

  • Supportive
  • In immunocompromised patients and children less than 2 years of age, antivirals are frequently used

Prevention

  • RSV prophylaxis with immunoglobulin for children younger than 2 years of age is available for at-risk populations (preterm infants, patients with congenital heart disease)

See Also