Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) discovered in 1956, known able of causing a broad spectrum of illnesses. Fever, nasal congestion, and cough are their most common complaints. RSV can produce severe pulmonary disease, including bronchitis and pneumonia an infection of terminal airways.

RSV is highly contagious virus infection that most commonly causes illness during winter season. The mild symptoms of children who develop RSV infection such as fever, nasal, congestion and nasal discharge. Supportive care is the mainstay of therapy. For high risk patients, palivizumab (Synagis) preventive therapy is available.

RSV infection is seasonal, in temperate climate, RSV infection usually occur during the late fall, winter or early spring months. Many infants are exposed to RSV by their first birthday, many have few or mild symptoms. RSV is the most common cause of bronchitis and pneumonia among infants and children under 1 year old.

After childhood, RSV causes repeated infections throughout life. These infections are usually associated with cold like symptoms. Sever lower respiratory tract diseases may occur at any age, especially among the elderly or among those with compromised cardiac, pulmonary, or immune systems.