Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of many types of infections of the respiratory system (lungs and breathing passages), including:
Although these infections can happen at any age, they occur most commonly and are usually most severe in infants, young children, and the elderly. In severe cases, RSV infections can cause death.
Respiratory System Anatomy of an Infant
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
RSV is spread through infected fluids of the mouth and nose. The virus most often enters the body from touching the mouth, nose, or eyes. It can also be spread by inhaling droplets from a sneeze or cough.
RSV is a very contagious virus. It can survive on surfaces and objects for hours and is easily passed from person to person. Virus shedding (contagious) usually lasts for 3-8 days, but may last for up to four weeks.
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
Risk factors include:
The symptoms of RSV infection vary and usually differ with age and previous exposure to RSV. Very young children, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases are more likely to have severe symptoms.
In children younger than age three, RSV can cause illness such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Symptoms may include:
In children older than age three and in healthy adults, RSV typically causes an upper respiratory infection or cold. Symptoms commonly include:
The doctor will ask about you or your child's symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. A variety of tests are available to diagnose RSV. Lab tests called antigen detection assays are commonly done using secretions from the nose.
In most cases, antibiotics are not needed as the infection is caused by a virus and not a bacteria.
Mild infections, such as colds, do not need special treatment. The goal is to ease symptoms so that you or your child feels more comfortable while the body fights the virus. For symptom relief, try the following:
People of all ages can develop severe infections from RSV, but it is most common in the very young. Severe infections include pneumonia and bronchiolitis. These may require treatment in a hospital. This treatment is aimed at opening up breathing passages, and may include:
If you or your child are diagnosed with RSV, follow your doctor's
Step to prevent RSV include:
American Lung Associationhttp://www.lungusa.org/
American Lung Association website. Available at:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
Committee on Infectious Diseases, American Academy of Pediatrics.
Red Book 2006
. 27th ed.
KidsHealth. The Nemours Foundation website. Available at:
The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy
. Simon and Schuster, Inc.; 1999.
1/15/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
: Kabir AR, Mollah AH, Anwar KS, Rahman AK, Amin R, Rahman ME. Management of bronchiolitis without antibiotics: a multicentre randomized control trial in Bangladesh.
Last reviewed October 2012 by Brian Randall, MD
Copyright © 2010 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
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