Respiratory syncytial virus

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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), also called human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) and human orthopneumovirus, is a virus that causes infections of the respiratory tract. It is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Its name is derived from the large, multinucleated cells known as syncytia that form when infected cells fuse. RSV is a common cause of respiratory hospitalization in infants, and reinfection remains common in later life, though often with less severity. It is a notable pathogen in all age groups. Infection rates are typically higher during the cold winter months. Infections can cause bronchiolitis in infants, common colds in adults, and more serious respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia, in older individuals and those with immunocompromise resulting from, e.g., cardiopulmonary disease. RSV can cause outbreaks in both community and hospital settings. Following initial infection via the eyes or nasal passages, the virus infects the epithelial cells of the upper...

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