RSV infection in infants and young children - What's new in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention?

Nearly all children have had respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection by the age of 2. Some of these infants-especially those who have heart or lung disease-are particularly vulnerable to the complication of lower respiratory tract infection. Timely steps toward prevention, as well as prompt detection and effective treatment, are therefore vital. In this article, the authors provide the basics of diagnosis and treatment of RSV infection along with up-to-date recommendations regarding virus detection, aerosolized antiviral therapy, and prophylaxis.