Internal Medicine

0521779407-18 CUNY1086/Karliner 0 521 77940 7 June 4, 2007 21:20

Rotor Syndrome RSV/Respiratory Syncytial Virus 1313

follow-up

n/a

complications and prognosis

■none; excellent prognosis

RSV/RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS

CAROL A. GLASER, MD

history & physical

History

■2 major strains of RSV; A+B belong to family Paramyxovirus (large,

enveloped RNA virus)

■Humans only source

■Transmission by direct or close contact with contaminated secre-

tions (droplets or fomites)

■Incubation period: 2–8 days

■Viral shedding: 3–8 days, infants may have prolonged shedding

■Virus can persist on environment surface – many hours

■Hospital-acquired infections common

■Re-infection is common

■Winter and early spring

Signs & Symptoms

Severity highest extremes of ages

■preterm infants and/or infants <1 month old:

➣respiratory signs may be minimal+other symptoms such as

lethargy, poor feeding+irritability may be more common

■Older children/ adults – URI

tests

Specific:

■DFA tests on respiratory specimens quick, sensitive method

■Viral isolation from nasopharyngeal secretions

■Serology of limited utility

differential diagnosis

n/a