Internal Medicine

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

1314 RSV/Respiratory Syncytial Virus Rubella

management

■For hospitalized patients – contact precautions are recommended

for duration of illness

■Good hand washing should be emphasized.

specific therapy

■In uncomplicated case – no treatment needed

■Ribavarin aerosol therapy may be considered for CHD, BPD, cys-

tic fibrosis, and underlying immunodeficiency. Controversial in

children; data to suggest that it reduces mortality in adults post BMT.

■RSV-IVIG may also be effective in certain high-risk patients.

follow-up

n/a

complications and prognosis

■infants/young children –

➣important cause bronchiolitis and pneumonia

➣apnea can occur in preterm and <1-month-old infants

■High severity in infants with CHD, immunodeficiency, underlying

pulmonary disease

■Exacerbation of asthma any age group

RUBELLA

CAROL A. GLASER, MD

history & physical

History

■aka “German measles” or 3-day measles

■Togaviridae, RNA virus

■Transmission usually respiratory route, direct contact or droplet

(congenital infection also possible)

■Incubation 16–18 days (14–23 days)

■Humans only host

■Maximal communicability: few days BEFORE and 5–7 days after

ONSET rash

■Late winter/spring – peak incidence

Signs & Symptoms

■25–50% infections asymptomatic