II. Epidemiology: RSV
-
Incidence
- Worldwide: 33 Million with 3.6 Million hospitalizations in 2019 (8.1 cases per 1000 per year)
- United States: 2.1 Million children under age 5 years seek medical attention for RSV annually
- Annual epidemics in U.S.
- Post-Covid (2020) RSV epidemics peaked in sping and summer
- Pre-covid RSV epidemics were in winter to early spring
- Range: November to April
- Peak: January to February
- Overall hospitalization rate
- U.S. 1-2% of children with RSV (57,000 per year, 2.9 cases per 1000)
- Youngest children are at highest risk for hospitalization (esp. age <90 days)
- RSV Bronchiolitis results in hospitalization of 2-3% of infants <12 months old
- Severe RSV Bronchiolitis requiring hospitalization occurs in 25 per 1000 infants age <30 days
- Attack rates
- Daycare exposure: 100% infection rate
- Sibling exposure: 40% infection rate
- Cohorts Affected
- Children under age 2 years (usually 1-6 months old)
- Of infants at risk, 50% will be infected
- By age 2 years, nearly all children will have had one RSV infection (at least 90%)
- Prior infection is no protection against future infection
- Older children and adults
- Common Cold-like Syndrome
- Rhinorrhea, Sore Throat, and cough
- Elderly (esp. age >75 years)
- Severe Pneumonia may result
- In U.S., >160,000 older adults are hospitalized, and 10,000 die of RSV per year
- Immunocompromised patients and significant comborbid conditions
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Chronic Lung disease (e.g. copd)
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Cardiovascular disease
III. Risk Factors: More Severe Course
- Young infants (esp. age <90 days)
- Prematurity
- Passive Smoke Exposure
- Complex Congenital Heart Disease
- Chronic lung disease
- Immunosuppression
- Neuromuscular disease
- Metabolic disorder
- Staat (2002) Semin Respir Infect 17:15-20 [PubMed]
IV. Pathophysiology: RSV
- Enveloped, nonsegmented, negative-strand RNA virus (Paramyxoviridae Family)
- Subtypes A (causes more severe disease)
- Subtypes B
- Transmission
- Close contact
- Fingers or fomites
- Self inoculation of Conjunctiva or anterior nares
- Coarse aerosols from coughing or sneezing
- Viral load peaks at 4 to 5 days
- Corresponds to peak illness severity at 3-5 days
- Incubation: 2 to 6 days (up to 8 days)
- Virus shedding: 3 to 8 days (up to 4 weeks in infants)
- Duration of illness (under age 2 years)
- Re-infection with different RSV forms is common
- Prior RSV infection confers no Immunity against new infection
- Infectious course
- Viral replication starts in the nasopharynx
- Spreads to the small Bronchiole epithelial lining
- Results in small airway obstruction, air trapping and increased airway resistance
- Lower respiratory tract infection onset within 3 days
- Increased airway edema and mucous production
- Ultimately tissue necrosis
V. Causes: Bronchiolitis
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
- Responsible for 50-80% of cases
- Coninfection with other virus (e.g Rhinovirus) in up to 55% (up to 30% of hospitalized RSV cases)
- Human Metapneumovirus (MPV)
- Emerging paramyxovirus
- Similar presentation as RSV
- Hamelin (2004) Clin Infect Dis 38:983-90 [PubMed]
- Parainfluenza
- Rhinovirus
- Influenza
- Adenovirus
- Human Bocavirus
VI. Symptoms
- Viral prodrome (initial 2-3 days)
- Typical symptoms in infants and young children
- Cough (98%)
- Low grade fever (75%)
- Labored breathing (73%)
- Wheezing (65%)
- Rhinorrhea
- Mild systemic symptoms
- Typical symptoms in older children
- Severe illness
- Grunting
- Nasal flaring
- Intercostal retractions
- Tachypnea or Dyspnea
- Hypoxia and Cyanosis
- Apparent Life Threatening Event or Apnea
- Premature Infants or very young infants are at increased risk
- May occur without other signs of respiratory distress
VII. Signs
- See Clinical Severity Scoring System Tool
- Respiratory
- Common findings
- Diffuse Wheezing
- Rales
- Other findings
- Respiratory distress or Respiratory Failure
- Accessory Muscle use (e.g. Intercostal retractions)
- Grunting
- Hypoxia (Oxygen Saturation <92%)
- Cyanosis
- Common findings
- Hydration
- Assess for Dehydration (mucous membranes, alertness, Skin Turgor, decreased Urine Output)
VIII. Differential Diagnosis
- See Wheezing
- Reactive airway disease
- Foreign Body Aspiration
- High fever suggests alternative diagnosis (e.g. Pneumonia)
- Especially consider in unimmunized children
IX. Evaluation: Age under 3 months
- Infants under age 30 days
- Complete full Neonatal Sepsis evaluation for febrile infants under 1 month of age (despite Bronchiolitis diagnosis)
- Infants under age 60 days
- Evaluation based on clinical evaluation
- Consider admission of infants <6 to 8 weeks of age with Bronchiolitis due to apnea risk
- Infants ages 60-90 days of age
- Ill appearing, febrile infants should be evaluated for bacteremia (and coinfection)
- Non-toxic febrile infants at 60-90 days with Bronchiolitis do not need a bacteremia work-up
- Blood Cultures and Lumbar Puncture are not needed
- Urinalysis and Urine Culture should still be performed
- Ralston (2011) Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 165(10):951-6 [PubMed]
X. Labs
-
Blood Culture indications
- Not needed in routine cases
- Consider in toxic appearing children, fever >38.5 C (101.3 F) or ICU admission
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) is not routinely recommended
-
Venous Blood Gas (VBG) Indications
- Children who appear to be tiring
- Severe respiratory distress
- FIO2 requirements >40%
- RSV swabs or washings of nasopharynx, throat, or Sputum
- Precautions
- RSV is a clinical diagnosis based on symptoms and signs (see above)
- Routine testing is not recommended for confirmation
- RSV is only one cause of Bronchiolitis (e.g. MPV, parainfluenza, Influenza, Adenovirus, bocavirus)
- A negative RSV does not exclude other Bronchiolitis cause
- Indications
- Febrile infants <3 months of age (evaluate for Neonatal Sepsis)
- Immunocompromised children
- Intensive Care Unit Admission
- Other diagnosis considered (e.g. Sepsis in age under 2-3 months)
- RSV positive puts a child at very low risk of serious Bacterial Infection
- However coninfection with other viruses is common (up to 55% of cases)
- Levine (2004) Pediatrics 113(6): 1728-34 [PubMed]
- Inpatient room placement (shared inpatient rooms)
- Consider grouping patients with similar symptoms instead of basing on lab criteria
- Epidemiologic data to define start of outbreak
- Efficacy
- LAMP NAAT or PCR
- Test Sensitivity: 91 to 97% (LR- 0.03 to 0.09)
- Test Specificity: 97 to 99% (LR+ 30 to 97)
- Rapid Antigen
- Test Sensitivity: 83% (LR- 0.18)
- Test Specificity: 93% (LR+ 11)
- RSV Immunofluorescence
- Test Sensitivity: 81% (LR- 0.19)
- Test Specificity: 99% (LR+ 81)
- RSV Culture
- Test Sensitivity: 44 to 85%
- Test Specificity: 100%
- LAMP NAAT or PCR
- Precautions
-
Urinalysis and Urine Culture
- Consider in patients with RSV severe enough to consider admission
- Urinary Tract Infections are present in 2-5% of RSV cases
- However this is similar to baseline UTI rate in asymptomatic children
- Urinalysis is controversial in febrile children with Bronchiolitis (some guidelines recommend)
- RSV is associated with a decreased risk of other conditions
- Decreased risk of Meningitis
- Decreased risk of bacteremia
XI. Imaging: Chest XRay
- Indications
- Not routinely recommended in Bronchiolitis (very low yield)
- Chest XRay risks False Positives (e.g. Pneumonia) and Antibiotics overuse
- High fever
- Hypoxemia (Oxygen Saturation <90%)
- Severe symptoms (e.g. ICU admission)
- Comorbid cardiopulmonary disease
- Respiratory complications (e.g. Pneumonia, Pneumothorax)
- Not routinely recommended in Bronchiolitis (very low yield)
- Findings consistent with Bronchiolitis
- Hyperexpansion or hyperinflation
- Peribronchial thickening or peribronchial markings
- Atelectasis
- Variable infiltrates or Viral Pneumonia
- May lead to False PositivePneumonia diagnoses (and unnecessary Antibiotics)
XII. Evaluation: Hospitalization Indications
- Place in respiratory isolation if admitted
- Central Apnea risk (1 to 24% of newborns with RSV)
- Witnessed apneic event
- RSV in infant under 6-8 weeks of age or birth weight <2.5 kg
- Prior recommendations were for hospitalizing children as old as age 2-3 months
- Apnea occurs with other Upper Respiratory Infections (not unique to RSV)
- Highest risk: Full-term infant <1 month of age OR Preterm Infant at <48 weeks post-conception
- Walsh (2015) Pediatrics 136(5): e1228-36 +PMID:26482666 [PubMed]
- Willmerth (2006) Ann Emerg Med 48(4): 441-7 [PubMed]
- Comorbidity (one or more poorly-functioning systems)
- Comorbid cardiopulmonary disease (e.g. Cystic Fibrosis, Congenital Heart Defect)
- Comorbid Immunodeficiency
-
Dehydration
- Inability to maintain adequate hydration, tolerate oral intake
- Feeding difficulty (due to respiratory distress)
- Respiratory distress
- See Clinical Severity Scoring System Tool
- See Respiratory Distress in Children with Pneumonia
- See Pediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS Score)
- Respiratory Rate (RR) consistenly >40 breaths per minute
- Oxygen Saturation <90%
- Brief minor desaturations are common with sleeping and eating
- Transient Hypoxia does not contraindicate disposition home in children with otherwise reassuring findings
- Principi (2016) JAMA Pediatr 170(6):602-8 +PMID:26928704 [PubMed]
- Retractions (intercostal, supraclavicular, abdominal)
- Grunting
- Lethargy
- Hypercarbia
- Chest XRay changes (e.g. Atelectasis)
- Cyanosis
XIII. Management: Effective Measures
-
General Measures
- Constantly reassess for signs of impending Respiratory Failure
- May be signaled by a 'normalization' of the Respiratory Rate (due to respiratory muscle Fatigue)
- Humidified Oxygen to keep Oxygen Saturation >90% (>88% while asleep)
- Low threshold to transition to Humidified High Flow Nasal Cannula as needed (see below)
- In practice, humidified High Flow Nasal Cannula (HHFNC) is typically used instead
- Suctioning of secretions
- Paramount intervention both during the acute evaluation and for home
- Especially for the obligate nose breathers age <2 years
- Includes gentle Nasal Saline with suctioning (avoid Trauma and secondary edema)
- Provide parents with a hospital-grade nasal suction bulb
- Acorn manual nasal aspirator
- NoseFrida
- Avoid frequent deeper, nasopharyngeal suctioning (via nose into posterior pharynx and upper airways)
- Excessive deeper nasopharygeal suctioning increases airway irritation
- In hospital setting, twice daily nasopharyngeal suctioning is sufficient
- Contrast with frequent nasal suctioning (e.g. NoseFrida, acorn) which is a mainstay of treatment
- Consider nasal Decongestant (Neo-Synephrine)
- Neo-Synephrine (Phenylephrine) is preferred (If a nasal Decongestant is used in children)
- Avoid afrin (Oxymetazoline) in children
- Risk of Central alpha-2 Agonist, Clonidine-like CNS depression ("One Pill Can Kill" list)
- Paramount intervention both during the acute evaluation and for home
- Hydration and frequent feedings
- Parents should anticipate smaller volume feedings more frequently (every 3-4 hours) for the first 5 days of RSV
- Feedings should continue on High Flow Nasal Cannula
- If child is unable to take oral feedings, then consider Feeding Tube for Enteral Nutrition
- Constantly reassess for signs of impending Respiratory Failure
- Severe cases
- Humidified High Flow Nasal Cannula (HHFNC)
- Indicated in increased Work of Breathing (e.g. retractions, grunting, apnea, nasal flaring) or Hypoxia
- Humidified High Flow Nasal Cannula starting at 1.5 to 2 L/kg/min and titrate as needed
- See Humidified High Flow Nasal Cannula for protocol
- Required rates above 2 L/kg/min are considered more severe (and typically admitted to PICU instead of ward)
- Efficacy
- Prevents airway collapse and Atelectasis
- Decreases work of breathing
- Effective and well tolerated
- Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nasal CPAP or nCPAP) or RAM Cannula
- Alternative to Humidified High Flow Nasal Cannula
- Offers greater PEEP than HHFNC
- Endotracheal Intubation with Mechanical Ventilation
- Helium-Oxygen therapy
- Humidified High Flow Nasal Cannula (HHFNC)
XIV. Management: Ineffective or Inconsistently Effective Measures
- Nebulizer (not recommended as of 2014, per AAP)
- Precautions: AAP 2014 Guidelines
- AAP recommends no nebulizer treatments (including Albuterol, Epinephrine and Hypertonic Saline)
- AAP recommends no Corticosteroids
- Supplemental Oxygen is optional when Oxygen Saturations are >90%
- http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/134/5/e1474
- Nebulized Albuterol
- Albuterol is often trialed in the Emergency Department in moderate to severe cases (see below)
- AAP guidelines may reflect an RSV-specific lack of response to Bronchodilators
- However, undifferentiated Bronchiolitis symptoms (esp. with RAD, atopy) may respond
- Background per AAP
- Albuterol does not improve oxygenation in RSV
- Albuterol does not shorten hospital stay in RSV
- Albuterol may offer minor symptomatic relief in RSV
- Albuterol has adverse effects (e.g. Tachycardia)
- Older approach (prior to 2014 guidelines)
- May be effective in up to 50% of RSV patients (especially for children with history of Asthma or atopy)
- May still give a trial if atopic/RAD history or Warm Respiratory Scoring Tool >4
- If improvement with trial then continue every 6 hours (if not, then supportive care only)
- References
- Albuterol is often trialed in the Emergency Department in moderate to severe cases (see below)
- Nebulized Atrovent
- See Reactive Airway Disease
- Some evidence as of 2011 suggesting Atrovent is effective (but not recommended by AAP 2014 Guidelines)
- Nebulized racemic epinephrine
- Not recommended by AAP 2014 Guidelines
- Variable efficacy and use has declined since 2007
- Requires 2-4 hours of observation after administration due to transient effect with risk of rebound
- Wainright (2003) N Engl J Med 349:27-35 [PubMed]
- Hypertonic Saline Nebulization (not recommended)
- Not recommended by AAP 2014 Guidelines for acute use (ED and short 1-2 day hospitalizations)
- Nebulizer dose: 4 ml of 3% Hypertonic Saline
- May shorten hospital stay (from >3 days)
- Increases cough
- Not effective in preventing hospitalization (may not be as useful for emergency care)
- Angoulvant (2017) JAMA Pediatr 171(8):e171333 PMID:28586918 [PubMed]
- Zhang (2008) Cochrane Database Syst Rev :CD006458 [PubMed]
- Precautions: AAP 2014 Guidelines
-
Systemic Corticosteroids (not recommended)
- Corticosteroids do not decrease severity of illness or shorten the disease course
- Corticosteroids are not recommended for RSV Bronchiolitis by American Academy of Pediatrics
- Atopic Patients and older patient's with Asthma may benefit
- Data is mixed and some studies have shown benefit (e.g. Systemic Dexamethasone with Nebulized Epinephrine)
- Some studies have shown benefit with decreased length of hospital stay (especially children under age 1 year old)
XV. Management: Emergency Department Approach
- Attempt to determine disposition (hospitalization versus home) in the first hour
- Step 1: Supplemental Oxygen to maintain Oxygen Saturation >90%
- Step 2: Nasal Suctioning
- Assess patient (consider using a scoring system)
- Nasal Saline and suction
- Consider nasal Decongestant (Neo-Synephrine) as described above (avoid afrin)
- Assess patient (consider using a scoring system)
- Step 3: Nebulized Albuterol or Albuterol MDI with Aerochamber and mask
- Not recommended by AAP as of 2014 but often trialed in Emergency Department
- Cases in which Albuterol may have better efficacy
- Atopy (Eczema, Family History of Asthma) or reactive airway disease history
- Warm Respiratory Scoring Tool >4
- Older infants over age 6 months with rhinovirus Bronchiolitis
- Viral Bronchiolitis during non-RSV peak times
- Bronchiolitis chiefly presenting with Wheezing and subcostal retractions
- Nino (2020) ERJ Open Res 6(4): 00135-2020 +PMID:33083437 [PubMed]
- Supply family with Albuterol for home if effective
- Consider Dexamethasone (or other Corticosteroid) in those who respond to Albuterol (or have atopic/RAD risks)
- Also not recommended by AAP as of 2014
- Step 4: High Flow Nasal Cannula (HHFNC)
- Indicated in increased Work of Breathing (e.g. retractions, grunting, apnea, nasal flaring)
- References
- Sloas and Orman in Herbert (2014) EM:Rap 14(7): 1-3
XVI. Management: Therapies with variable or limited evidence
-
Montelukast
- Improved post-RSV clinical symptoms (age 3-36 months)
- Bisgaard (2003) Am J Respir Crit Care Med 167:379-83 [PubMed]
- Surfactant
- Aerosolized Ribavirin (Virazole)
- Use limited to immunosuppressed children with severe disease (hospitalized)
- May be useful early at maximal viral load
- Variable efficacy
- Cost exceeds $1000 per day
- Randolph (1996) Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 150:942-7 [PubMed]
XVII. Management: Therapies not found to be useful
- Theophylline does not change the clinical course
- Antibiotics without Bacterial Infection identified
- Inhaled Interferon alfa-2a
- RSV Immune globulin for acute treatment
- Indicated for prophylaxis in high risk infants
- No evidence for benefit in acute disease
-
Palivizumab for acute treatment
- Indicated for prophylaxis in high risk infants
- No evidence for benefit in acute disease
-
Racemic Epinephrine mixed with Hypertonic Saline
- See above for AAP recommendations 2014 to not use Epinephrine nebs
- Observe for at least 2-3 hours after dose
XVIII. Prevention
-
General measures
- Avoid contact with respiratory droplets
- Avoid contagious exposures
- Hand Washing
- Cleaning of surfaces
- Avoid Passive Smoke Exposure
- Exclusive Breast Feeding for first 6 months of life
- Medications for Infants
- RSV Immune Globulin (RSV-IG, RespiGam)
- Pooled human Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) is still available for high risk, hospitalized infants
- RespiGam was discontinued in 2003
- Palivizumab (Synagis)
- Given monthly for up to 5 months of RSV season
- Typically November 1 to March 1 pre-2020 Covid (spring-summer peak after 2020)
- See Palivizumab for indications
- Premature Infants born before 29 weeks gestation (<32 weeks if on oxygen >28 days)
- Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease
- Chronic lung disease (Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia, Cystic Fibrosis)
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Given monthly for up to 5 months of RSV season
- Nirsevimab
- Single dose given at start of RSV season
- Effective in preventing hospitalization (FDA approval in 2023)
- Indications
- RSV Prophylaxis in all children age <8 months in their first RSV season (typically October to March in U.S.)
- RSV Prophylaxis in all children age 8 to 19 months in their second RSV season who are at risk for severe disease
- High risk infants may be given Nirsevimab and stop Palivizumab if less than 5 doses of Palivizumab given
- References
- RSV Immune Globulin (RSV-IG, RespiGam)
-
Vaccinations in Pregnancy
- Bivalent RSV Perfusion F Vaccine
- Administered to pregnant patients 24 to 36 weeks gestation (CDC recommends 32 to 36 weeks) during RSV season
- Effective in preventing severe RSV in first 6 months (esp. first 3 months)
- Kampmann (2023) N Engl J Med 388(16): 1451-64 [PubMed]
- Bivalent RSV Perfusion F Vaccine
- Older Adults (age >=60 years)
- RSV Vaccine
- Especially higher risk patients (Diabetes Mellitus, chronic heart disease, COPD, Immunocompromised)
- Reduces Relative Risk of lower respiratory infection for 2 years after Vaccination
- RSV Vaccine
XIX. Prognosis
- Severe episodes: 10-20% of cases
- Present with Dehydration, Hypoxemia, nasal flaring, grunting, apnea, Respiratory Failure
- Admission rates: 19-45% of cases
- ICU Admission: 3% of cases
- Mortality
- Worldwide: 1% RSV case fatality rate
- United States: 0.1%
- Deaths: 372 per year in United States (90% are under age 1 year)
- More severe illness if comorbid underlying disease
- Congenital Heart Disease (RSV Mortality as high as 37%)
- Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (and Pulmonary Hypertension)
- Immunodeficiency
- Age <3 months
- Weight <11 pounds (5 kg)
- Premature birth (<35 weeks gestation, esp. <29 weeks gestation)
XX. Complications
- Persistent reactive airway disease
- Higher risk with more severe RSV infection or Rhinovirus
- Wheezing episodes persist up to 5 years in 40% of children with RSV infection
- Wheezing episodes persist beyond 5 years in 10% of children with RSV infection
- Childhood Asthma
- Three fold Relative Risk of childhood Asthma following RSV Bronchiolotis
- Coutts (2020) Pediatr Pulmonol 55(5): 1104-10 [PubMed]
XXI. References
- Hall (2024) Mayo Clinic Pediatric Days, attended 1/15/2024
- Serrano (2014) Crit Dec Emerg Med 28(6): 2-10
- Sloas and Orman in Herbert (2014) EM:Rap 14(8): 1-2
- Warrington (2016) Crit Dec Emerg Med 30(7): 15-20
- Dawson-Caswell (2011) Am Fam Physician 83(2): 141-6 [PubMed]
- Panitch (2003) Pediatr Infect Dis J 22:S83-8 [PubMed]
- Jafri (2003) Pediatr Infect Dis J 22:S89-93 [PubMed]
- Joseph (2011) Pediatr Emerg Med Prac 8(3) [PubMed]
- Oppenlander (2023) Am Fam Physician 108(1): 52-7 [PubMed]
- Smith (2017) Am Fam Physician 95(2): 94-99 [PubMed]
- Steiner (2004) Am Fam Physician 69:325-30 [PubMed]