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The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) causes a common viral infection of infants and young children. For most children, RSV produces only mild symptoms, often indistinguishable from common colds and minor illnesses. For some children, however, RSV can cause severe respiratory illness leading to hospitalization and, rarely, death. This is more likely to occur in patients that are immunocompromised or infants born prematurely.
Anecdotally, RSV is also associated with childhood wheezing and asthma.
Treatment
Currently there are no vaccines in production for RSV infection. However, a moderately effective prophylactic drug is available for infants at high risk. This drug is a monoclonal antibody directed against RSV proteins. Ribavarin is used for treatment.
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