Naslov
Respiratory syncytial virus infection in the elderly

Autori
Mlinarić-Galinović, Gordana ; Falsey, Ann R. ; Walsh, Edward E.

Izvornik
European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases (0934-9723) 15 (1996), 10; 771-781

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, pregledni rad, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) ; elderly

Sažetak
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and children throughout the world. Respiratory syncytial virus infections in the elderly represent reinfections in hosts who have had many prior episodes. Thus, RSV infections are usually not considered serious in adults since reinfections are generally known to result in mild disease. Nevertheless, in adults as in children, the infection has been reported to cause altered airway resistance and exacerbation of chronic obstructive lung disease. In people over 60 years of age, RSV can cause mild nasal congestion but also fever, anorexia, pneumonia, bronchitis, and even death. Diagnosis of RSV in the elderly by the standard methods used in children is not as successful as in the latter group. This may be due to a combination of factors, such as shorter shedding phase, lower viral titers, and dry mucosa. An alternative, rapid and direct viral diagnostic method, the polymerase chain reaction, has recently been introduced in the diagnosis of RSV infections.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kliničke medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA