Management and treatment of patients
with all degrees of RSV severity is necessary to relieve symptoms and reduce the
likelihood of long-term illnesses caused by RSV. The treatment of mild cases of RSV has
typically focused on relieving the symptoms: cough and cold medicines (variable in
efficacy) and bronchodilators such as metaproterenol or albuterol to help relieve chest
congestion and wheezing. Additional studies assessing the effectiveness of bronchodilators
suggest that epinephrine, racemic epinephrine, and ipratropium bromide may have a clinical
role in the management of acute bronchiolitis.1 For more severe
cases of RSV, hospitalization and antiviral therapy may be indicated. This section
outlines management and treatment techniques for both mild and more severe cases.
Management and treatment of patients
with all degrees of RSV severity is necessary to relieve symptoms and reduce the
likelihood of long-term illnesses caused by RSV. The treatment of mild cases of RSV has
typically focused on relieving the symptoms: cough and cold medicines (variable in
efficacy) and bronchodilators such as metaproterenol or albuterol to help relieve chest
congestion and wheezing. Additional studies assessing the effectiveness of bronchodilators
suggest that epinephrine, racemic epinephrine, and ipratropium bromide may have a clinical
role in the management of acute bronchiolitis.
