pediatrics
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Human Metapneumovirus Infections
Treatment of RSV and hMPV
Supportive care Treatment of RSV and hMPV infections is supportive and includes supplemental oxygen and hydration as needed (see Treatment ). Corticosteroids and bronchodilators are generally not helpful and are currently not recommended. Antibiotics are reserved for patients with fever, evidence of pneumonia on chest x-ray, and clinical suspicion of a bacterial coinfection. Nirsevimabandpalivizumab(monoclonal antibodies to RSV) are not effective for treatment. Inhaledribavirin, an antiviral medication with activity against RSV, has marginal efficacy, is potentially toxic to health care professionals, and is no longer recommended except for infection in patients who are severely immunocompromised. Numerous medications targeting viral fusion, entry, and replication for adults and infants are currently in development and in clinical trials ( Treatment reference ). 1.Domachowske JB, Anderson EJ, Goldstein M: The future of respiratory syncytial virus disease prevention and treatment.Infect Dis Ther10(Suppl 1):47–60, 2021. doi: 10.1007/s40121-020-00383-6 