EC Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is belonged to the family paramyxoviridae. This family are enveloped viruses with a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA genome (-RNA) directed by RNA polymerase. RSV is a common infection that spread by air droplets, and close contact. Mainly, infects nose, throat, lungs, and breathing passages causing mild cold-like symptoms, with short breath that are clinically indistinguishable from other viral respiratory infections. The virus infects infants, young children, immunocompromise patients and old people (over 60 years and older). Most patients recover in a week or two, but sometimes it can be serious with severe infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia that might cause morbidity and mortality. RSV is epidemic infection occurred in winter and early spring. RSV infection can be detected by culture methods of fluid sample (respiratory specimen), and can be detected in blood sample after the infection by measuring the level of antibodies (immunoglobulins), this is in addition to rapid detection methods. Over-the-counter fever reducers and pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are commonly used for managing the fever and pain. This is plus drinking enough fluids to prevent dehydration. Some medications to ease breathing such as bronchodilators are commonly used to treat long term RSV infection where the patient airways (bronchi) become narrow and inflamed. These bronchodilators medicines are muscle relaxation that widen the lung airway. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved antiviral medication Ribavirin for pediatric patients with severe lower respiratory infections. This is in addition to the early approved antiviral medication Palivizumab. Recently FDA approved RSV vaccines ABRYSVO and AREXVY for 60 years and older for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by this RSV infection.

 Keywords: Viral Lung Disease; RSV; Pediatrics Infections; Adult Infection; Bronchiolitis; Lower Respiratory Tract Disease (LRTD); Mucosal Immunity; RSV Diagnostics; Mono Clonal Antibody; Polyclonal Antibody; Nirsevimab; Palivizumab; RSV Vaccine; ABRYSVO Vaccine; AREXVY Vaccine

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