Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection?

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection is also known as RSV bronchiolitis, viral pneumonia, lower respiratory tract infection, LRT infection, upper respiratory tract infection, URT infection.It is an emerging infectious disease caused by Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV causes infection of the lungs and breathing passages in children under 1 year of age and of them 0.5% to 2% requires hospitalization.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection typically occurs typically occur during the late fall and winter, and early spring in the United States and Europe.RSV is a highly contagious and normally transmitted through a contact with contaminated secretions, which includes small droplets from a cough or sneeze. , or objects that droplets have touched or sharing food or drink with an infected person.

Causes of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

• RSV infection is caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory system.
• It is caused by hand-to-mouth contact after touching an infected person
• Severe bronchiolitis

Symptoms of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Congested or runny nose
• Low-grade fever
• Bluish color of the lips

What are the treatments for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection?

• Use a nasal aspirator to remove sticky nasal fluids
• Children with severe disease require oxygen and supportive therapy.This therapy includes supplemental oxygen (guided by respiratory rates, oxygen saturation, and arterial blood gases,)and mechanical ventilation.
• Medicines like acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) may be prescribed depending on the age. These Medicines reduce fever but don't cure the infection.
• Ribavirin is a approved an anti viral therapy for treatment of RSV.If it is started in the first few days after the symptoms then it will be effective for RSV infection.