Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections in Infants and Children: Diagnosis and Treatment

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Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus is the most important cause of acute viral pneumonia and bronchiolitis in infants and children. Recent advances in diagnostic methods have put precise and rapid identification of cases within the capability of many hospital laboratories. Aerosolized ribavirin is now available for treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infections, and it should be used in selected instances, principally with the intent of preventing the necessity for intubation and ventilation. The criteria we use for selection of those patients include infants with underlying cardiopulmonary disease who are at high risk for severe disease, although normal infants occasionally deteriorate and should be considered candidates. With judicious use of laboratory techniques to make an accurate diagnosis and ribavirin treatment, the overall morbidity of respiratory syncytial virus infections should be significantly lessened.

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