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  1. Human respiratory syncytial virus - Causes

    Verified Expert

    Infection is caused by the respiratory syncytial virus. The virus enters the body through eyes, nose or mouth.

    • Spreads via infected droplets in the air through coughing or sneezing of an infected person
    • Direct contact with an infected person e.g. handshakes

    The risks are high among

    • Children less than age 2 years
    • Premature infants
    • Children with weak immune system
    • Children in crowded child care centers
    • Adults with asthma or other lung and heart diseases
    • Persons with weak immune system

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    Complications

    Verified Expert

    • May lead to pneumonia and bronchitis if severe cases aren’t managed
    • Infection of the middle ear especially in children because they have short Eustachian tubes
    • Children may develop asthma later in life

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    Symptoms

    Verified Expert
    Contact your provider if experiencing new, severe, or persistent symptoms.

    The symptoms depends on the severity, age and health of the infected person.

    Mild flu-like symptoms in older children and adults such as

    • Stuffy and runny nose
    • Mild headache
    • Mild cough
    • Mild fever
    • Sore throat

    Severe symptoms in children and the immunocompromised include

    • Discoloration of skin
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Rapid breathing
    • Wheezing
    • Severe cough
    • Fever

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    Diagnosis

    Verified Expert
    One or more of these tests may be recommended by your medical provider.
    Physical examination followed by laboratory tests are done to ascertain the condition.

    Common tests & procedures

    Physical examination: To check for abnormal breathing sounds.

    Viral detection test: A swab of the nasal drainage can be analyzed to detect the presence of the virus.

    X-ray: To rule out any other conditions causing similar symptoms.

    See more
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    Treatment

    Verified Expert

    Treatment involves supportive care to manage the signs and symptoms. Mild cases resolve without treatment.

    Medication

    Antipyretics: To reduce fever.

    Acetaminophen

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    Source: Focus Medica. For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice. | Disclaimer: Opinions are from external health professionals and should not be considered as Microsoft's opinion or a substitute for professional help. Consult a health professional for medical advice.
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    Table of Contents
    Causes
    Complications
    Symptoms
    Does respiratory syncytial virus cause bronchiolitis?
    Diagnosis
    Health guide
    Treatment
     
  1. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), [a] also called human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) and human orthopneumovirus, is a contagious virus that causes infections of the respiratory tract. It is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Its name is derived from the large cells known as syncytia that form when infected cells fuse.

    Respiratory syncytial virus - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Respiratory_syncytial_virus
    Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that infects the nose, throat, and lungs. RSV symptoms make it difficult to distinguish it from the common cold or other respiratory viruses (like the flu or COVID-19). RSV spreads in the fall and winter along with other respiratory viruses.

    About RSV | RSV | CDC

    www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/index.html
    RSV is a viral infection that can lead to inflammation of the respiratory tract and lungs. The peak time for RSV to spread is during fall and winter. Most children and adults with RSV will have mild symptoms similar to the common cold and recover in one to two weeks.

    Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) - John…

    www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-di…
    What Is Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)? Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-ul) virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory illness in children. The virus usually causes a common cold. But sometimes it infects the lungs and breathing passages and can cause breathing problems in infants and young children.

    Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) (for Par…

    kidshealth.org/en/parents/rsv.html
    RSV is common, especially in young children. It is a respiratory virus that can infect the throat, nose, lungs, and breathing passages. The virus can spread through droplets from coughing and sneezing. Most people with the infection have mild symptoms similar to those of a common cold. They usually recover within 2 weeks.

    What is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)…

    www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/301632
     
  2. People also ask
    What is respiratory syncytial virus?
    Through the discovery of neutralizing antibodies in children and confirmation that the virus causes respiratory illness, this disease was named as respiratory syncytial virus. This name also emphasizes a characteristic observed during infection which is fused cells.

    Respiratory syncytial virus - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org
    How long does respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection last?
    Respiratory illnesses caused by RSV — such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia — usually last about a week, but some symptoms, such as a cough, can last several weeks. How Is Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection Diagnosed?

    Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) (for Parents) - KidsHealth

    kidshealth.org
    Does respiratory syncytial virus cause bronchiolitis?
    Review Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and its propensity for causing bronchiolitis. [J Pathol. 2015] See reviews... See all... See more... The human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most common viruses to infect children worldwide and increasingly is recognized as an important pathogen in adults, especially the elderly.

    Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Children - StatPearls - NCBI

    ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
    What is the human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?
    StatPearls [Internet]. Hanish Jain; John W. Schweitzer; Nathaniel A. Justice. Last Update: June 20, 2023. The human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most common viruses to infect children worldwide and increasingly is recognized as an important pathogen in adults, especially the elderly.

    Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Children - StatPearls - NCBI

    ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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  3. Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/respiratory-syncyti…

    Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic

     
  4. Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Respiratory_syncytial_virus

    Respiratory syncytial virus - Wikipedia

  6. NHS
    https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv

    Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) - NHS

  7. CDC
    https://www.cdc.gov/rsv

    Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) | RSV | CDC - Centers …

    WEBRSV is a virus that causes cold-like symptoms and can be serious for infants and older adults. Learn how RSV spreads, who is at risk, and how to prevent it with immunizations.

  8. Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/respiratory-syncyti…

    Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) - Diagnosis & treatment - Mayo …

  9. CDC
    https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about

    About RSV | RSV | CDC - Centers for Disease Control …

    WEBAug 30, 2024 · RSV is a virus that causes cold-like symptoms and can be serious for infants and older adults. Learn how RSV spreads, who is at risk, and how to prevent it with immunizations.

  10. MedlinePlus
    https://medlineplus.gov/respiratorysync…

    Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections | RSV - MedlinePlus

    WEBNov 8, 2023 · Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus. It usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. But it can cause serious lung infections, especially in infants, older adults, and people with serious …

  11. WebMD
    https://www.webmd.com/lung/respiratory-syncytial-virus

    Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): Everything You Need to Know

  12. National Center for Biotechnology Information
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459215

    Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Children

    WEBJun 20, 2023 · The human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most common viruses to infect children worldwide and increasingly is recognized as an important pathogen in adults, especially the elderly.

  13. KidsHealth
    https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/rsv.ht…

    Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) (for Parents)

    WEBRespiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-ul) virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory illness in children. The virus usually causes a common cold. But sometimes it infects the lungs and breathing passages and can cause …