Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a virus that causes infections of the lungs and respiratory tract.RSV usually causes mild cold-like, Congested or runny nose, Dry cough, Low-grade fever, Sore throat, Mild headache, Severe cough, Wheezing a high-pitched noise that's usually heard on breathing out (exhaling), Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing, which may make the child prefer to sit up rather than lie down, Bluish color of the skin due to lack of oxygen (cyanosis).

RSV in severe cases may be necessary to provide intravenous (IV) fluids and humidified oxygen. Mechanical ventilation is a breathing machine to ease breathing. A nebulized bronchodilator such as albuterol (ProAir HFA, Proventil-HFA, Ventolin HFA) may be used to relieve wheezing. This medication opens air passages in the lungs. Nebulized means it's administered as a fine mist that you breathe in. Occasionally, a nebulized form of ribavirin (Virazole), an antiviral agent, may be used.

335/705 hospitalized infants for LRTI were enrolled in the study. The trend of hospitalization started in late winter and lasting until May 2006 with an epidemic peak in spring. 178/335 infants tested for viral infection showed RSV disease. Three cases occurred in preterm newborns hospitalized from birth in NICU. The likelihood to be RSV+, rather than RSV negative (RSV-) was higher for infants < 6 months and lower for infants with history of breast feeding (P < 0.05).