Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Generation, Amplification, and Titration of Recombinant Respiratory Syncytial Viruses
11:48

Generation, Amplification, and Titration of Recombinant Respiratory Syncytial Viruses

Published on: April 4, 2019

Treatment of RSV bronchiolitis: drugs, antibiotics

Ian Mitchell1

  • 1University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. imitche@ucalgary.ca

Paediatric Respiratory Reviews
|August 5, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) bronchiolitis management varies widely in children. Early assessment of oxygenation, fluids, and nutrition is crucial, alongside careful evaluation of drug therapies and antibiotic use.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) bronchiolitis is a leading cause of pediatric hospitalizations and emergency department visits.
  • A significant proportion of infants with RSV bronchiolitis experience recurrent respiratory issues later in life.
  • Current management strategies for RSV bronchiolitis exhibit considerable variability among clinicians.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the variability in current management practices for RSV bronchiolitis.
  • To emphasize the importance of early and comprehensive patient assessment.
  • To guide clinicians in evaluating therapeutic interventions and antibiotic use.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current clinical practices and evidence regarding RSV bronchiolitis management.
  • Emphasis on clinical assessment of respiratory status, oxygenation, and fluid/nutritional balance.
  • Discussion on the evaluation of drug therapies and antibiotic stewardship.

Main Results:

  • Initial assessment should prioritize oxygenation, with prompt oxygen administration for respiratory distress.
  • Early evaluation of fluid and nutritional status is essential for guiding feeding strategies (oral, nasogastric, or intravenous).
  • Limited evidence supports drug therapies, necessitating careful evaluation of their efficacy in reducing symptoms, hospital stay, and sequelae.

Conclusions:

  • Standardized, evidence-based guidelines are needed to reduce variability in RSV bronchiolitis management.
  • Clinicians must critically assess the benefits of all treatments, including drug therapies and antibiotics.
  • Improved antibiotic stewardship is essential to combat resistance and optimize patient outcomes.

More Related Videos

An Improved and High Throughput Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Micro-neutralization Assay09:14

An Improved and High Throughput Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Micro-neutralization Assay

Published on: January 26, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:17

Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Lower respiratory tract disorders present challenges that often require skilled and nuanced approaches for effective management. Common ailments, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have prompted the development of intricate treatment strategies involving bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, each tailored to ease breathing and revitalize the lungs.
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:16

Drugs Used in Upper Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Upper respiratory tract disorders, including viral infections and allergic rhinitis, cause significant discomfort and disrupt daily life. Managing these conditions involves a variety of drugs, such as antihistamines, intranasal steroids, decongestants, antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics. Specific examples of drugs in each category are provided.
Antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) block histamines from binding. Histamines are chemicals released during an allergic reaction in the body. As a...
Acute Respiratory Failure-V01:29

Acute Respiratory Failure-V

The treatment for acute respiratory failure varies based on factors like the underlying cause, overall health, and severity. A collaborative healthcare team is essential for early detection, often through arterial blood gas analysis. Identifying the cause is the primary goal, with treatment strategies adjusted for ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, shunting, or diffusion impairment.
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
Pneumonia IV: Management01:28

Pneumonia IV: Management

The treatment of pneumonia varies based on its severity and the causative pathogen. Here is a structured approach to managing pneumonia, integrating pharmaceutical and supportive care strategies.
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...