Infection Control Manual, RSV Infection Control Policy

RSV Infection Control Policy
	Introduction
	Mode of Transmission
	Incubation Period
	General Control Measures
	Pediatric Control Measures
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Yale New Haven Hospital
QISS
GB 325
New Haven, CT
06504 USA

Dr. Jeff Topal
688-4634


Introduction

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can cause acute respiratory illness in patients of any age. In infants and young children, it is the most important cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Because respiratory failure secondary to bronchiolitis may occur precipitously, high-risk patients should be identified upon hospital admission. During the first few weeks of life, particularly in pre-term infants, respiratory signs can be minimal. Lethargy, irritability and poor feeding sometimes accompanied by apnea episodes may be major signs of this infection. Infection in older children and adults usually manifests as an upper respiratory tract illness; however, in the elderly and in the severely immunocompromised, RSV can manifest as pneumonia.

Patients who are at higher risk for complications from RSV infection include: children with severe underlying cardiopulmonary conditions, children receiving chemotherapy for malignancy, premature infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised adult patients (particularly, allogeneic stem cell/bone marrow transplant patients).

Last modified: December 20, 2000.