RSV

• infects the respiratory tract and produces giant, multinucleated cells called ___

  synctia
• Children 6 months of age or younger, as well as premature babies, are especially susceptible to serious disease caused by this virus.
• Unusual wave of RSV infections occurred in the summer of 2021 after many people stopped wearing masks & social distancing
• Fever lasts for _ days

  3
• abnormal breathing sounds

  rales
• The virus is highly contagious and is transmitted through droplet contact but also through fomite contamination
• Is vaccine available for RSV?

  No
• Treatment

  Ribavirin, passive antibody therapy
• First symptoms

  • 3-day fever
  • rhinitis
  • pharyngitis
  • otitis
• What time of the year do infections peak?

  Fall and winter