Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a common viral illness affecting almost all children within their first few years of life. In most young children, RSV results in a mild respiratory infection. It is, however, the single most important cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonitis in infancy and contributes to significant morbidity and even mortality in a subset of high-risk children. There are new developments in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of RSV infection in infants and children. Early recognition of young children at high risk for severe RSV infection and apnea can help to minimize the morbidity and mortality.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been implicated in nearly 75% of bronchiolitis cases and in more than 50% of pneumonia cases. Each year, more than 90,000 infants are hospitalized with RSV infection in the United States at a cost of $300 million. From 1988 to 1996, infant hospitalization rates for bronchiolitis increased significantly, while hospitalization rates for lower respiratory tract diseases excluding bronchiolitis did not vary significantly. Sizable outbreaks of RSV occur each year, and virtually all children have RSV infection within their first few years of life. Severe RSV disease, as gauged by the requirement for hospital admission, is most common among infants 1 to 3 months old. Although the frequency and severity of illness decrease with increasing age, repeated infections, usually localized to the upper respiratory tract, occur throughout life. The potential virulence of RSV has generated great concern among parents of young children and in the medical community as well. While the majority of RSV infections are resolved within 5 to 7 days, there is risk for significant morbidity and even mortality associated with RSV infection. To alleviate much of the anxiety and minimize unexpected complications that include sudden death, primary care physicians need to understand the risk factors for severe RSV infection, the timing of the peak RSV infection season in their practice area, and how to provide early diagnosis and proper management of the RSV infection.
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a common viral illness affecting almost all children within their first few years of life. In most young children, RSV results in a mild respiratory infection. It is, however, the single most important cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonitis in infancy and contributes to significant morbidity and even mortality in a subset of high-risk children. There are new developments in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of RSV infection in infants and children. Early recognition of young children at high risk for severe RSV infection and apnea can help to minimize the morbidity and mortality.
Introduction
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been implicated in nearly 75% of bronchiolitis cases and in more than 50% of pneumonia cases. Each year, more than 90,000 infants are hospitalized with RSV infection in the United States at a cost of $300 million. From 1988 to 1996, infant hospitalization rates for bronchiolitis increased significantly, while hospitalization rates for lower respiratory tract diseases excluding bronchiolitis did not vary significantly. Sizable outbreaks of RSV occur each year, and virtually all children have RSV infection within their first few years of life. Severe RSV disease, as gauged by the requirement for hospital admission, is most common among infants 1 to 3 months old. Although the frequency and severity of illness decrease with increasing age, repeated infections, usually localized to the upper respiratory tract, occur throughout life. The potential virulence of RSV has generated great concern among parents of young children and in the medical community as well. While the majority of RSV infections are resolved within 5 to 7 days, there is risk for significant morbidity and even mortality associated with RSV infection. To alleviate much of the anxiety and minimize unexpected complications that include sudden death, primary care physicians need to understand the risk factors for severe RSV infection, the timing of the peak RSV infection season in their practice area, and how to provide early diagnosis and proper management of the RSV infection.
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