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Published on: December 10, 2013
Factors Contributing to Symptom Duration and Viral Reduction in Outpatient Children With Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Takeshi Utsunomiya1,2,3, Akinobu Hibino1, Kiyosu Taniguchi4
1From the Division of International Health (Public Health), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan.
Insights
In pediatric respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) patients, older children experienced longer fevers but shorter viral shedding periods. This study in Japan highlights age-related differences in RSV symptom duration and viral clearance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common cause of respiratory illness in children.
- Understanding factors influencing symptom duration and viral shedding is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between age, clinical symptoms, and viral shedding in pediatric RSV outpatients in Japan.
- To analyze how patient characteristics affect RSV infection outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 205 outpatient children diagnosed with RSV infection (RSV-A or -B) between 2014-2018.
- Nasal samples analyzed for viral load using real-time PCR; clinical symptoms recorded.
- Statistical analysis using logistic and linear regression to assess associations.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in patient characteristics between RSV-A and RSV-B infections.
- Fever duration increased with age; rhinorrhea and cough were shorter in females and infants with higher birth weight.
- Daily viral reduction accelerated, and estimated viral elimination period shortened with increasing age.
Conclusions:
- Fever duration in pediatric RSV infections is positively associated with patient age.
- Viral shedding duration decreases as patient age increases, suggesting faster clearance in older children.
Background:
We investigated the association between age, duration of clinical symptoms and viral shedding in outpatient children infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in Japan.
Methods:
Outpatients younger than 2 years of age, with suspected RSV infection between 2014 and 2018, were enrolled in the study. Following informed consent, nasal samples were collected at first and second clinic visits (with 0-9 days gap). RSV-A or -B infection and viral load were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Clinical symptoms were recorded at first clinic visit, and fever and symptoms were recorded at home for up to 8 days. Association between clinical symptoms and patient characteristics, such as age, sex and birth weight, were analyzed using ordered logistic regression analysis. The association between viral reduction and estimated shedding period was examined using linear regression analysis.
Results:
Among the 205 cases enrolled in the study, no difference was found in patient characteristics between RSV-A and -B infection. Duration of fever was prolonged with increased age. Duration of rhinorrhea and cough was shorter in females than in males and in groups with birth weight ≥3 kg than in those with <2.5 kg. Daily viral reduction increased and estimated viral elimination period decreased with age.
Conclusions:
Fever duration was found to increase while viral shedding decreased with patient age.
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