Respiratory Syncytial (sin-SISH-ul) Virus (RSV) is a common and highly contagious virus that primarily affects the upper respiratory system, most commonly in the winter months. Almost all children have a RSV infection by the age of 2 years.
Primarily spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes but can survive on surfaces for a few hours. Incubation is 2 to 8 days. The RSV initially infects via the eyes or nose and then infects the ciliated columnar epithelial cells in the upper and lower airway, creating inflammation, cellular damage and airway obstruction.
The RSV is a single-stranded, negative-strand, RNA virus that belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family.
At-risk groups: Infants under the age of 6 months; history of heart or lung disease; older adults with compromised immune systems.
Clinical Features:
Varies from mild cold-like symptoms to severe symptoms.
Commonly: cough, rhinorrhea, sneezing, fever, decreased appetite, wheeze, sore throat; maybe headache.
If severe: worsening cough, fever, bronchiolitis, pneumonia.
Differential Diagnosis: asthma; bronchiolitis; cystic fibrosis; croup; bronchitis; influenza; pneumonia; inhaled foreign body.
Management:
No specific antiviral medication for RSV.
Typically focuses on relieving symptoms and supportive care; adequate hydration (most recover within 10 days).
If severe, may need hospitalization to provide advanced breathing support.
Prevention:
Hand washing; good personal hygiene; avoid close contact.
Two vaccines available as of 2023: Arexvy (GSK) and Abrysvo (Pfizer)
Page last updated:
Comments are closed.