RSV and Respiratory Illness Resources

November 17th, 2022

Viruses other than SARS-CoV-2 may cause significant disease in children, particularly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza. Influenza is surging in the United States right now, causing a significant healthcare burden for our youngest population. RSV, although it has existed for a long time, has just recently been recognized for not only the burden it causes in the pediatric population, but its toll on adults and the geriatric population. RSV is not only the leading cause of hospitalization of infants in the US (58,000 annually), but it also causes 177,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths annually in adults aged 65 years and older in the United States.

Rapid testing has led to an increased awareness of the specific viruses causing patients' symptoms and the associated complications. Specific identification of the infecting agent may lead to more tailored antiviral therapy and also decrease inappropriate antibiotic utilization. In addition, isolation and infectious control strategies may be used for the specific virus identified. The recognition of the significant impact of RSV on both the pediatric and adult population has led to an intensified effort to identify strategies to prevent RSV. These articles provide a spectrum of RSV disease and other respiratory illnesses across populations, their impacts, and strategies for prevention.

Rapid Diagnostic Testing in the ED for Mononucleosis, Strep Pharyngitis, Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and Procalcitonin: Emergency physicians must accurately interpret common test results, and it is vital to understand the statistical methods associated with the development and integration of these laboratory tests in a clinical context.

Influenza-Like Illness in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The sudden appearance of COVID-19 has created an additional challenge to the evaluation of children with "flu-like" symptoms. This article compares and contrasts influenza and coronavirus and provides a critical update on a timely topic.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus — Not Just a Disease of Children: Respiratory syncytial virus is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly.

Infectious Disease Experts Sound Alarm on True Toll of RSV: Respiratory syncytial virus is something of a contradiction: The leading cause of hospitalization of infants in the United States (58,000 annually) is largely unappreciated beyond the pediatric population.

Optimism for New Interventions to Prevent Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections: Previous vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus infection in children caused more harm than good. However, new vaccines and new preventive monoclonal antibody treatments are nearing final stages of pre-licensure testing.