Respiratory syncytial virus

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that causes respiratory tract infections. It is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infections and hospital visits during infancy and childhood. A prophylactic medication, palivizumab, can be employed to prevent RSV in preterm (under 35 weeks gestation) infants, infants with certain congenital heart defects (CHD) or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and infants with congenital malformations of the airway. Treatment is limited to supportive care, including oxygen therapy.

Signs and symptoms

In adults, RSV may only produce symptoms of a common cold, such as a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, mild headache, cough, fever, and a general feeling of being ill. In young infants, the virus can cause more severe symptoms, including bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways) and pneumonia.

Cause

RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus of the family Paramyxoviridae, which includes common viruses such as those causing measles and mumps. RSV is a member of the paramyxovirus subfamily Pneumovirinae.

Diagnosis

RSV infection can be confirmed by direct detection of the virus in nasal secretions. Rapid antigen detection testing, direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) testing, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are the most common methods used.

Prevention

A number of infection control measures are effective in preventing the spread of the disease, including hand washing and the use of gowns and gloves. The medication palivizumab (brand name Synagis) is available to prevent severe RSV disease in those who are at high risk.

Treatment

Treatment of RSV infection is usually supportive, providing relief of symptoms and supportive care such as oxygen therapy as needed. In high-risk patients, the monoclonal antibody palivizumab can be given to prevent RSV infection.

See also

• Bronchiolitis
• Pneumonia
• Paramyxoviridae
• Palivizumab

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