RSV Flashcards
The very young (under 1 year of age) and the elderly are at the greatest risk. While most RSV infections usually cause mild illness, infants aged less than 6 months frequently develop the most severe disease.
What conditions can it cause?
URTI
LRTI -bronchiolitis and pneumonia
which may result in hospitalisation. Children born prematurely, or with underlying chronic lung disease, and the elderly with chronic disease are also at increased risk of developing severe disease.
What is infection control measures for RSV confirmed by throat swab PCR?
place patient in a single room
if a single room is not available then cohort patients with other patients with a confirmed RTI caused by the same pathogen, after a documented risk assessment considering the possibility of co-infection with other pathogens
if single rooms are in short supply and laboratory confirmation is awaited, after a documented risk assessment, it may be feasible to prioritise patients with cough for single room placement
ensure patients are at least one metre apart from each other and draw privacy curtains or place screens between beds to minimise opportunities for close contact
Employers are under legal obligation under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) health regulations to adequately control the risk of exposure to infections where it cannot be prevented. Employees have an obligation to make full and proper use of any control measures, including PPE, provided by their employer. Vaccination cannot be used as a substitution for such controls as it is not always fully effective in all cases.
facilities such as negative pressure rooms are not necessary to prevent droplet transmission
display signage to control entry into isolation/cohort areas
limit the movement of patients outside their room to those necessary for patient management. If patient movement is necessary then the patient should, if possible, wear a surgical face mask to minimise the dispersal of respiratory secretions and reduce environmental contamination
if the patient is wearing a face mask during transport, then no mask is required by HCWs transporting or accompanying patients for whom droplet precautions are indicated, but careful hand hygiene should be observed; if the patient is unable to wear a mask for any reason, then HCWs transporting or accompanying the patient who will be required to come within two metres of the patient should wear face masks
For all AGPs, an FFP3 respirator, fluid repellent gown, gloves and eye protection, eg goggles or full face visor, should be worn
Isolate for 5-7 days - unclear how long infectious for. Infection control will decide
Most cases only require supportive care for URTI.
If shows signs of LRTI e.g on CXR, then consider treatment.
What are options?
Limited evidence of treatment efficacy.
Ribavirin
+
Immunoglobulin
What treatment is available to prevent RSV in high risk groups?
Pavilizumab
Monthly IM injection prior to RSV season which is Sept-Feb
