Respiratory syncytial virus infection

Respiratory syncytial virus infection
Description
  • Leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children
  • Suspected cause of fatal respiratory diseases in infants
  • Almost exclusively affects infants (ages 1 to 6 months, peaking between ages 2 and 3 months) and young children, especially those in day-care settings
  • May cause serious illness in patients with underlying cardiopulmonary disease
  • Common characteristics: rhinorrhea, low-grade fever, tachypnea, shortness of breath, cyanosis, apneic episodes, and mild systemic symptoms accompanied by coughing and wheezing
  • Also known as RSV
Pathophysiology
  • Virus attaches to cells, eventually resulting in necrosis of the bronchiolar epithelium; in severe infection, peribronchiolar infiltrate of lymphocytes and mononuclear cells occurs.
  • Intra-alveolar thickening and resultant fluid fills the alveolar spaces.
  • Airway passages narrow on expiration, preventing air from leaving the lungs and causing progressive overinflation.
Causes
Jul 20, 2016 | Posted by in NURSING | Comments Off on Respiratory syncytial virus infection

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