Prevention and Treatment of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infants and young children. Based on a recent Canadian study, it can be estimated that the annual cost of RSV-related illness in the USA is over $300 million per year, and the bulk of this cost is related to hospitalization.¹ Over the past decade or so it has become apparent that RSV is also a major pathogen of elderly and immunosuppressed adults.^2–7 RSV disease has proven to be a major problem in institutionalized elderly (for example, those living in nursing homes or long-term convalescent hospitals),^4,6,7 and in bone marrow transplant recipients. In the latter group, mortality rates in excess of 50% have been reported.^{5, 8–11}