Severe respiratory syncytial virus disease

Abstract

The burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease is widely recognized. Main risk factors for severe disease, such as extreme ages, chronic cardiopulmonary conditions, and immunosuppression, typically coincide with poorer outcomes. While the majority of RSV hospitalizations involve healthy children, a higher proportion of hospitalized adults with underlying conditions need intensive care. Presently, treatment primarily consists of supportive measures. RSV-induced wheezing should be distinguished from respiratory tract thickening, without response to bronchodilators. Obstructive RSV disease frequently overlaps with viral pneumonia. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation and high-flow oxygen therapy represented significant advancements in the management of severe RSV disease in children and may also hold considerable importance in specific phenotypes of RSV disease in adults. Most severe infections manifest with refractory hypoxemia necessitating more advanced ventilatory support and/or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy. While bacterial co-infection rates are low, they have been associated with worse outcomes. Antibiotic prescription rates are high. Accurately diagnosing bacterial co-infections remains a challenge. Current evidence and antibiotic stewardship policies advise against indiscriminate antibiotic usage, even in severe cases. The role of currently developing antiviral therapies in severe RSV disease will be elucidated in the coming years, contingent upon the success of new vaccines and immune passive strategies involving nirsevimab.