What is RSV?
RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus, a common virus that can cause respiratory infections ranging from mild to severe. RSV is one of the primary causes of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children, particularly during the winter and early spring seasons. Possible diseases resulting from RSV infection include bronchiolitis and pneumonia, which are more common in children under the age of five and in the elderly.
Typical symptoms of an RSV infection include a runny nose, coughing, fever, and breathing difficulties. In some cases, RSV infection can lead to more severe complications, such as respiratory distress and significant breathing difficulty requiring hospitalization.
Currently, treatment for RSV is primarily supportive, focusing on symptom relief and maintaining respiratory function. Preventative measures include practicing good hygiene, avoiding close contact with infected individuals, and the use of specific medications like Palivizumab injection, which is typically administered to high-risk infants.
Research on RSV continues to advance, encompassing the epidemiology of the virus, its genetic diversity, and molecular evolution, as well as the development of vaccines and treatments.For more information on research progress related to RSV, please click on the image below:
