Lifelong Re-Infection Has Previously-Unrecognized Consequences.(Brief Article)

2001 JUL 11 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) --

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and parainfluenza virus - the chief causes of hospitalization for respiratory illness in young children - may be even more menacing than previously believed.

What experts hadn't focused on until now are the consequences of both viruses re-infecting people constantly throughout life, afflicting otherwise healthy teens and adults. In addition, for people whose immune systems are weak, or for the elderly, the re-emergence of these infections can be deadly, reported physician Caroline B. Hall, professor of Pediatric Medicine and Infectious Diseases at the University of Rochester Medical Center, in a review article published in the June 21, 2001, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

"These viruses have always been thought of as children's viruses, but we now recognize they may also cause a significant health care burden in older age groups," Hall said. "Unfortunately, the viruses are infrequently recognized by physicians. For instance, someone with heart disease may come to the doctor with an exacerbation of cardiac symptoms, which may actually be the result of an infection with one of these viruses."

Re-infection can spread rapidly from healthy adults to persons at higher risk. For example, Hall reported that among patients in hospitals and long-term care facilities, RSV results in the worsening of chronic lung disease in 5% to 50% of cases, and may contribute to death 20% of the time.

The scope of infection in young people is staggering: nearly all children are infected with RSV by the age of two years, and re-infection is common thereafter. In families with young children, over 40% of adults will acquire the viral infections, Hall said.

The first step to better manage the viruses as they march through all age groups is adequate diagnosis. Hall's goal is to ...