Impact of Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a highly contagious virus, and is the major cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and toddlers worldwide. RSV infection poses serious health risks to young children during the first 2 years of life. Several infant populations have been classified as high risk, and additional risk factors are known to increase the likelihood of severe RSV infection. Treatment for active RSV infection is limited to the symptoms of infection rather than the underlying cause; therefore, it is critical to reduce the transmission of RSV. As nurses, we highlight the importance of educating healthcare professionals, both in the hospital and community settings, as well as parents and other caregivers about the risks and outcomes associated with RSV infection, and necessary measures to decrease the risk of infection. We also highlight the importance of the successful identification of those children who are at high risk of RSV infection. RSV prophylaxis (RSVP) with palivizumab has been shown to improve clinical outcome in infants who are considered high risk compared with those who have not received RSVP. The failure of healthcare staff and primary caregivers to protect children against an RSV infection can have lasting detrimental effects on the health and lives of affected children and their families.