Respiratory syncytial virus: causes, symptoms, treatment, consequences

Respiratory syncytial virus is included in a group of acute infections, affecting a fairly large number of people of a predominantly early age. One-year-old children occupy the main place among the infected. If the disease passes superficially in adults, then babies can develop serious complications.

Definition

It is a virus that causes respiratory infections. Insidiousness lies in the fact that it is difficult to diagnose, as it can easily be confused with a simple cold. The vaccine is not yet developed, so the disease sometimes ends in death. Inpatients provoked by the appearance of bronchitis, whistles and asthma.

Etiology

The respiratory syncytial virus concentrates in the cytoplasm, after maturation it begins to bud in the membrane. Belongs to the family Paramyxoviridae and is the only representative of this group, which can provoke a serious illness. Although a variety of dies have some antigenic heterogeneity, the variations relate primarily to one of several glycoproteins, but the epidemiological and clinical significance of these differences is unclear. Infection grows in a number of cell cultures that cause the formation of characteristic syncytia.

Causes

The human respiratory syncytial virus refers to ailments that are transmitted by airborne droplets. They are able to infect both diseased people and carriers. Characteristic are collective and family outbreaks, as well as cases of nosocomial infection, often in pediatric hospitals. Distribution is ubiquitous and round-the-clock often in winter-spring time. The greatest susceptibility is noted in children from 4-5 months to 3 years. At an early age, most of the babies suffer this disease, since later there is unstable immunity, quite often there are repeated cases of the disease, only in a more erased form. However, after the complete disappearance of antibodies from the body (IgA), a respiratory syncytial virus may again appear.

It spreads through close contact with the infected. It was analyzed and revealed that if a sick person sneezes, then the bacteria spread easily to 1.8 m. This group of pathogens can survive on the hands for up to 30 minutes, and on objects - for several hours.

The pathogenesis of infection is very similar to the mechanism of development of influenza and parainfluenza, since it is associated with the movement of the disease to the epithelium of the respiratory tract. For penetration, the respiratory tract serves, and primary reproduction begins in the cytoplasm of the nasopharynx and then spreads to the bronchi. At this moment, hyperplasia of affected cells and symplasts occurs. Such phenomena are accompanied by hypersecretion and narrowing of the bronchioles, which subsequently leads to clogging them with thick mucus. Then the development of infection is determined by the degree of flora attachment and respiratory failure.

Symptoms

The respiratory syncytial virus, whose microbiology is complex and difficult to diagnose, is a disease of early spring and winter.

To date, it has not been revealed why the lower respiratory tract in infants and the upper in adults are affected.

In children, the disease begins with fever, severe pain in the throat and runny nose. Soon other symptoms that resemble asthma are connected. Infection is characterized by the following symptoms:

- rapid breathing (more than 40 breaths per minute);
- bluish skin tone (cyanosis);
- a sharp and frequent cough;
- heat;
Intermittent and uneven breathing;
- Croup sealing;
- piercing breathing and wheezing;
- Shortness of breath.

Infections of the lower respiratory tract appear when the bronchioles swell. If at this point the patient is experiencing problems with oxygen supply, then it is necessary to consult a doctor for immediate medical attention. Such ailments often appear in children under one year old, and they are quickly aggravated.

Classification

There are a large number of factors by which a respiratory syncytial virus can be characterized, namely:

- typical - rhinitis, laryngitis, pneumonia, rhinopharyngitis, bronchitis, bronchitis, segmental pulmonary edema and otitis develop;
- atypical - erased or asymptomatic course of the disease.

There are 3 main forms of the disease.

1. Mild , occurs more often in adults and children of school age. It appears as a moderate nasopharyngitis, respiratory failure is not observed. Most often the body temperature remains normal or increases slightly, but just a few degrees. Signs of intoxication are completely absent.

2. Medium-heavy , you can observe the symptoms of acute bronchitis or bronchiolitis, accompanied by obstructive syndrome and respiratory failure. The patient has oral cyanosis and shortness of breath. If the child is sick, then it can be too restless, drowsy, nervous or listless. There is often a small increase in the liver or spleen. The temperature is often elevated, but it is normal. Moderately severe intoxication is observed.

3. Severe , at this point, develop bronchiolitis and obstructive bronchitis. There is a strong insufficiency of air, in which only the oxygen mask for breathing can help. There are whistles and noises, there is a pronounced intoxication and a strong increase in the liver and spleen.

To the criteria of severity, most often include the following characteristics:

- the presence of local changes;
- shortness of breath.

By the nature of the current:

- smooth - absence of bacterial complication;
- nonsmooth - the appearance of pneumonia, sinusitis and purulent otitis.

History

The respiratory syncytial virus, the symptoms of which can be confused with other diseases, was identified in 1956 by Dr. Morris. He, observing a chimpanzee who had found rhinitis, found a new infection and called her CCA - Chimpanzeecoriraagent (causative agent of chimpanzee). At the time of the examination of a sick employee who looked after a monkey, an increase in antibodies was observed, very similar to this virus.

In 1957 R.Khenok singled out a similar pathogen in diseased children and determined that it was he who was responsible for the excitation of bronchitis and pneumonia. After this and until today, scientists have been unsuccessfully trying to develop a vaccine.

Diagnostics

The clinical definition of the disease is problematic, because of its similarity with other ailments. In adults, symptoms of bronchitis and pneumonia often predominate. During laboratory tests, serological methods are used, which allow to reveal the antibody titer. If necessary, the doctor prescribes X-ray and specific laboratory tests, for example, virologic testing of nasopharyngeal washings.

Therapy

Patients who have been diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus, treatment is appointed in a complex way, in order to strengthen the body. Bed rest is recommended for the entire period of exacerbation. Hospitalization is indicated in children with a severe form of the disease, pre-school children with moderate weight and people who have had complications. A prerequisite is the existence of a diet appropriate to age. It should include mechanically and chemically sparing food, full of various microelements and vitamins.

Etiotropic therapy is also performed , which is characterized by the use of such drugs as leukocyte human interferon, Anaferon, Grippferon and Viferon. In severe forms it is recommended to take "Immunoglobulin" and "Ribavirin", the price for it varies from 240-640 rubles, depending on the dosage. It helps to prevent the appearance of the effects of bronchitis on the preparation "Sinagis". If a bacterial complication is detected, then an antibiotic therapy is indicated.

Bronchoobstructive syndrome is well removed by symptomatic and pathogenetic treatment. In this case, an oxygen mask for breathing is used, it alleviates severe symptoms and simplifies the supply of air.

Clinical follow-up is required for complications. After pneumonia, it is recommended to perform examinations after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months until complete recovery. Prophylactic diagnosis is necessary after relapsing bronchitis and is appointed after the expiration of the year of the amendment. If necessary, then the consultation of an allergist or pulmonologist is visited, as well as laboratory examinations.

Treatment of children

Kids are always sick more difficult, and the consequences are much more serious than those of adults, so therapy must be thorough and intensive.

Antiviral:

- "Ribavirin", the price of this drug, as described earlier - is available, so it will not hit hard on the parents pocket;
- Arbidol, Inosine, Tyloran and Pranobeks are also often prescribed.

Syndrome therapy is required to be performed according to the relevant protocols for the treatment of acute respiratory failure, bronchitis and Croup syndrome.

Basic antihomotoxic therapy:

- "Gripp-Heel", "Engistol" (the initiating scheme is used);
- "Euforbiumcompositum C" (nasal spray);
"Lymphomyositis."

Additionally:

- "Viburkol" (rectal suppositories);
- "Echinacea compositum C" (ampoules);
- "Angin-Heel S";
- "Traumeel C" (tablets).

All these tools perfectly help to overcome the respiratory syncytial virus in children.

First actions

In order to quickly defeat the disease, you need to properly respond to the symptoms that appear, so that you can get the help you need, if necessary.

1. It is required to consult a doctor when symptoms of ARVI appear in a small child, namely, sore throat, runny nose and severe wheezing.
2. Obligatory assistance is required if there is a high temperature, intense noises, shortness of breath and a general severe condition.

It is required to address to such doctors, as the therapist and infektsionist.

Complications

Respiratory syncytial virus has a negative impact on the respiratory tract. The consequences of this disease are considerable, since a secondary bacterial flora can join and cause such ailments as:

- sinusitis;
Otitis media;
- bronchitis;
- pneumonia;
- bronchiolitis.

Prevention

All viral diseases are difficult to treat, because their symptoms are often hidden. One of the measures is the earlier detection of the disease and isolation of patients until their complete recovery. During periods of outbreak of such infection, special attention should be paid to sanitary and hygienic measures. In children's groups and hospitals, we suggest wearing gauze bandages for personnel. Babies necessarily and systematically disinfect their hands using alkaline solutions.

The measures of emergency prevention in the foci of infection include the use of such drugs as Anaferon, Viferon, Imunal and various inducers of endogenous interferon.

Immunoprophylaxis includes such means as "Motavizubam", "RespiGam" and "Palivizubam".

Vaccine

To date, not yet developed a component that will prevent this disease. The creation is quite active, experiments began in 1960, after which the substance was inactivated with formalin and precipitated with alum. This vaccine caused a marked formation of serum antibodies, although as a result of the application, the testors developed an even more serious disease. Live attenuated components cause not very pleasant symptoms or turn into the same virus, only the wild type. To date, consider a method for purifying subunit antibodies against one of the surface proteins or attenuated elements, and then try to adapt them to the cold.