Taxonomy Order Mononegavirales; Family Paramyxoviridae; Subfamily Pneumovirinae

Morphology: Pleiomorphic; Spherical; 150-300 nm in diameter; enveloped, helical nucleocapsid

Genome: ssRNA; monopartite; linear; negative sense; replication and assembly in cytoplasm;

• Most important respiratory pathogen of childhood!!! Subtype B less common and less virulent than A. But can kill some infants.

Attack:

• Mucous membranes of nose and throat. Especially trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli.

Outcome:

• Can be fatal in infants a few months old
• Causes extensive pneumonitis, bronchiolitis, with areas of atelectasis and emphysema

Speed:

• 3-5 day incubation; progression over 1-7 days

Vaccines:

• Vaccinia recombinant RSV vaccine can help reduce severity and expedite recovery, but does not prevent infection
• New purified Fusion Protein Vaccines (PFPs) prepared from the F protein being tested

Behavioral:

• Transmission via mucal shedding, fomites, and aerosol; Cover mouth, wash hands and infected fomites. Use disinfectants

Treatment:

• Passive immunization with intravenously administered RSV immune globulin (RespiGam) to reduce lower respiratory tract infection
• Ribavirin

• Flip a coin. If you get "heads" opponent gets severe symptoms and dies. If "tails", then s/he only gets mild symptoms and recovers (opponent loses turn).