Respiratory syncytial virus infection

Respiratory syncytial virus infection is a contagious viral illness of the upper and lower respiratory tracts caused by human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Respiratory syncytial virus infection is a contagious viral illness of the upper and lower respiratory tracts caused by human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) While it commonly produces mild, self-limited upper respiratory symptoms in healthy older children and adults, it is a leading cause of severe lower respiratory tract disease—notably bronchiolitis and pneumonia—in infants, young children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals Pathophysiologically, viral replication in the respir...

While it commonly produces mild, self-limited upper respiratory symptoms in healthy older children and adults, it is a leading cause of severe lower respiratory tract disease—notably bronchiolitis and pneumonia—in infants, young children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals

While it commonly produces mild, self-limited upper respiratory symptoms in healthy older children and adults, it is a leading cause of severe lower respiratory tract disease—notably bronchiolitis and pneumonia—in infants, young children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals

Pathophysiologically, viral replication in the respiratory epithelium triggers robust mucosal inflammation, ciliary dysfunction, epithelial cell necrosis, and increased mucus production This cascade leads to small-airway obstruction, ventilation-perfusion mismatch, and defining clinical features such as rhinorrhea, persistent cough, tachypnea, wheezing, and varying degrees of respiratory distress

This cascade leads to small-airway obstruction, ventilation-perfusion mismatch, and defining clinical features such as rhinorrhea, persistent cough, tachypnea, wheezing, and varying degrees of respiratory distress