Respiratory syncytial virus infection
Description
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Leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children
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Suspected cause of fatal respiratory diseases in infants
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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
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May cause serious illness in patients with underlying cardiopulmonary disease
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Common characteristics: rhinorrhea, low-grade fever, tachypnea, shortness of breath, cyanosis, apneic episodes, and mild systemic symptoms accompanied by coughing and wheezing
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Also known as RSV
Pathophysiology
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Virus attaches to cells, eventually resulting in necrosis of the bronchiolar epithelium; in severe infection, peribronchiolar infiltrate of lymphocytes and mononuclear cells occurs.
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Intra-alveolar thickening and resultant fluid fills the alveolar spaces.
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Airway passages narrow on expiration, preventing air from leaving the lungs and causing progressive overinflation.
Causes
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Probably spread to infants and young children by school-age children, adolescents, and young adults with mild reinfections
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Reinfections are common, typically producing milder symptoms than the primary infection
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