Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is an RNA virus, classified as a pneumovirus. Subgroups A and B have been identified. RSV is ubiquitous; almost all children are infected by age of 4 years. Outbreaks occur annually in winter or early spring. It is one of the most common causative agents of lower respiratory illnesses (including bronchiolitis and pneumonia) in infants and young children worldwide. RSV can cause severe respiratory distress and respiratory failure. It can be fatal; virus often believed to be the cause of sudden death in infants with respiratory disease. Infection in adults is generally mild; may cause severe pneumonitis in immunocompromised patients and the elderly. In older children and adults, RSV can also cause influenza-like syndromes, bronchopneumonia or exacerbation of chronic bronchitis. The detection of RSV specific IgG antibodies indicates current or past infection with the virus.
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