Viral Pneumonia 

 

Viral Pneumonia

•  Caused by bacteria or several viruses• Respiratory Syncytial Virus 

Discovery

• 1956- Morris and associates isolated RSV from chimpanzees with URT infections

RSV Structure/Genetic Material

Transmittance

• Outbreaks occur seasonally (November to May)• transmitted via large droplets, through formites and hands• survive on surfaces for up to six hours

Who it affects?• 75,000 to 125,000 infants are hospitalized each year in the

US because of RSV infection • nearly all infants will have been infected by age 2-3 • 60% of infants will be infected each season

Symptoms• RSV is a common cause of pneumonia which leads to cough,

chest pain, fever, and difficulty in breathing

Prevention/Treatment• No vaccine• Wash hands/ wear protective clothing• Ribavirin

 • Fluids, oxygen, humidification of air, respiratory support• Nearly 80% of all cases cured without hospitalization

Websites Used

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_respiratory_syncytial_virus

• http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/virol/para-rsv-aden.htm• http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?

script=sci_arttext&pid=S1519-38292007000100003• http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/971488-overview