Annually the end of autumn and the beginning of winter bring us unpleasant "surprises" in the form of SARS and influenza. Virus infections for a long time are in the lead in the list of all infectious diseases. Isolated more than 200 viruses that can cause this pathology. This makes it difficult to conduct differential diagnosis and prescribe timely therapy.
Human respiratory syncytial virus
Respiratory syncytial virus causes acute inflammatory disease of the respiratory system. Diagnosed mainly in young children and elderly patients. During the epidemic, mainly in the winter period, the diseases are caused by this virus, they are found in representatives of all age groups. Antibodies that produce the immune system in response to infection, over time, reduce their activity, which leads to a re-infection.
Respiratory syncytial infection - causative agent
Respiratory syncytial virus infection is classified as an independent disease since the late 50's. XX century. The causative agent of this pathology is the RNA-containing virus from the genus Pneumovirus, the outer shell of which is studded with spines of protein origin. Attacking healthy cells, they attach to them and form specific compounds (syncytium). The virus affects the respiratory tract cells, because they have the greatest ability to ensure its rapid multiplication. Thanks to these two features, the PC-virus got its name.
Respiratory syncytial infection - symptoms
In a short time pathology can reach the form of an epidemic. The reason for this is its aerosol infection mechanism and the airborne transmission pathway. A sick person can remain a virus carrier for 21 days. The latency period can last up to a week. For respiratory syncytial infection, the lower parts of the respiratory system are characterized by the development of bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia. These serious illnesses often arise as complications of MS infection and require hospitalization.
The main symptoms are very similar to those of all SARS, and are manifested as follows:
- there are signs of general intoxication in the form of asthenia, myalgia, loss of strength, disturbance of sleep and eating habits;
- an increase in body temperature can range from low-grade to very high rates;
- there are symptoms of acute rhinitis and pharyngitis.
Also can join:
- discomfort in the chest;
- dry cough;
- manifestations of conjunctivitis;
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
Respiratory syncytial infection - treatment
Therapy of this pathology is based on laboratory test data and differential diagnosis. Respiratory syncytial virus infection at an early stage is treated out-patient, with the observance of bed rest and strict isolation of the patient. All activities are aimed at eliminating the symptoms of ailment and preventing complications:
1. Assign antiviral drugs to enhance the production of natural interferon:
- Anaferon;
- Arbidol-LENS;
- Valwyr;
- Viferon gel;
- Ingaron;
- Infagel;
- Lavomax and others.
2. Symptomatic therapy is aimed at normalizing body temperature, relieving headache, nasal congestion and discomfort in the throat:
- Paracetamol ;
- Coldrex Hotrem;
- Fervex;
- Antiflu;
- Vicks active symptom plus;
- Teraflu;
- Decatilene;
- Nazalong;
- Rince and others.
With prolonged nature of the disease or the first signs of complications, treatment in hospital is recommended. There, specialists prescribe pathogenetic drugs, which are concentrated on suppressing the development of the disease and its detoxification. Such drugs can influence the metabolism in the body, they are selected strictly individually.
Respiratory syncytial virus - prevention
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is sensitive to high temperatures and completely deactivated by boiling or using disinfectants. In order to prevent the spread of infection and prevent the epidemic, the following measures are recommended:
- Strict isolation of the patient.
- Daily cleaning of the room and things sick with the use of antiseptics.
- Fulfillment of prescriptions of the doctor.
- Bed rest.
- To protect the upper respiratory organs, it is recommended to wear medical masks.
- After the recovery of the patient, it is possible to carry out easy procedures of hardening and to avoid supercooling.
Respiratory syncytial virus - vaccine 2016
Pharmaceutical company Novavax, Inc. in 2016, began Phase III trials of a new vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus infection. After the successful completion of the first two stages of testing the effectiveness of this drug, it became quite realistic for its clinical application. A new vaccine can prevent the infection of the PC virus by children and adults.