Current perspectives on respiratory syncytial virus infection

Preview

When a child under 2 years of age presents in midwinter with a runny nose, dry cough, and mild to moderate fever, chances are that he or she has respiratory syncytial virus infection. Although the illness usually runs its course in 2 to 3 weeks, infection can be life-threatening in very young infants and those with high-risk conditions such as congenital heart disease. Drs Kuzel and Clutter describe appropriate measures for both outpatient and inpatient care and also discuss the benefits of aerosolized antiviral therapy for serious infection.