2. What is RSV?
It is a virus
Discovered in 1956
Infects the lungs and
breathing passages
Can cause a wide
spectrum of illnesses
Seasonal
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/dsRSV/
3. Highly contagious airborne virus
Annually 75,000-125,000 infants <1 yr require
hospitalization
~1%-2% die (750—1,500 children)
Contagious period during first 3-8 days of their illness
http://www.kuleuven.be/rega/mvr/research.html
4. Who gets it?
Anyone, but experience different levels of severity
Most at risk:
premature infants and all infants less than 1 year of age
children < 2 years old with cardiac disease or chronic
lung disease (for example, asthma, cystic fibrosis, etc.)
those of any age with a compromised immune system
those 65 years of age or older
6. Symptoms
Vary from person to person
Symptoms most severe in children under the age of two
4-6 after exposure
Runny nose
Decreased appetite
1-3 days later
Wheezing
Coughing
Fever
Very young infants, irritability, decreased activity, and
breathing difficulties may be the only symptoms of
infection.
www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/
7. Diagnostic Tests Testing for RSV, proper
testing of respiratory
secretions will:
Positively identify RSV
Rule out bacterial infection
Nasopharyngeal secretions
containing epithelial cells
are necessary for positive
diagnosis of severe RSV
infections
There are two strains, A and
B
A causes severe cases
B is asymptomatic and is
transmitted to most people
http://keiji-hagiwara.blogspot.com/2011/02/rapid-diagnostic-test-for-influenza.html
8. Treatment
Currently no RSV vaccine available
No treatment given in mild
disease
just antipyretics
Oxygen therapy, pulmonary inhalation therapy, airway suction,
and mechanical ventilation (severe disease)
Ribavirin aerosol (severe disease)
Sometimes used---IGIV (immune globulin intravenous) with
RSV-IGIV (e.g. Synagis) and Ribavirin (Virazole). [severe
disease]
Recovery 1-2 wks (non hospitalized & hospitalized)
9. Prevention
Frequent hand washing
At-Risk children can be given an injection of RSV antibodies monthly
during peak season.
Keep school-age children away from younger siblings (anyone under 2
years of age) if cold symptoms are present
Minimize number of visitors with the infant
Avoid any crowded places
Don’t take child to daycare during RSV season (if possible)
Obtain influenza vaccinations
According to CDC, almost all children will have infection by 2nd
birthday; however, only 25%-40% will have symptoms of bronchiolitis
or pneumonia. Of those, 0.5%-2% require hospitalization.
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/new/GermCity/
10. Epidemiology
Transmission
Transmitted via large, aerosolized respiratory particles or through
contact with nasal secretions. May even be transmitted indirectly
by contact with contaminated objects such as bathroom fixtures or
clothing. The most common sites of inoculation are the eyes and
nose
Prevalence
Winter months
Most frequently transmitted between family members and
hospitals
The incubation period is three to five days for most patients
Strain A more prevalent than Strain B
Global Distribution
Warmer climates tend to have longer periods of outbreaks without
any peak times
USA is generally November til May
11. References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . (2010). Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection. Accessed March 4, 2012 from
http://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html
WebMD, LLC. (2012). Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection. Accessed March 4, 2012 from http://www.webmd.com/lung/tc/respiratory-syncytial-
virus-rsv-infection-topic-overview
Editor's Notes
RSV most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children &lt;1 yr in US.
Virazole rarely given to pts with high risks of complications.