Respiratory syncytial virus infection in young hospitalized children. Identification of risk patients and prevention of nosocomial spread by rapid diagnosis.

Detection of RSV by immunofluorescence was used for rapid confirmation of the diagnosis in 89 infants during an epidemic. This made it possible to plan the care of the patients and use the personnel in an optimal way in order to maintain nosocomial infection at a low level. Somatic and environmental risk factors connected with serious disease were also identified. The course of the disease was more severe in children with chronic illnesses or those who had had perinatal complications. Allergy was more frequently reported by these families. Breast feeding for at least two months was practised in most families.