Case report: Respiratory syncytial virus

Background: The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the most important viral pathogen in children under 2 years of age, which warrants hospitalization for a low respiratory infection. 0.5% of children under 5 with RSV infection require hospitalization. The aim of this case is to reaffirm the importance of this virus as a cause of severe disease and to emphasize the importance of adequate diagnosis and management to improve prognosis.

Clinical case: Child of 1 year 3 months old, without risk factors for severe infection by respiratory viruses. A 3-day course of respiratory failure, requiring mechanical ventilation with a pulmonary protection strategy due to the development of intra-pulmonary ARDS, was considered a mixed infection and received antibacterial treatment. During his hospitalization, RSV infection was documented. He was graduated without pulmonary sequelae.

Conclusions: Respiratory syncytial virus is the respiratory virus that causes a greater burden of disease, even above influenza. Unfortunately for children without risk factors for severe infection there are no options for prevention or treatment, so in subjects with severe disease the only option is the management of support in specialized units and the timely detection of bacterial overinfection. The development of a vaccine is necessary.