How to use…respiratory viral studies. Issue 5 (28th August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Drysdale, Simon B; Kelly, Dominic F
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 104:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 274
• Page End: 278
• Publication Date: 2018-08-28
• Subjects: infectious diseases -- respiratory -- virology; Pediatrics -- Practice -- Periodicals; Children -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2016-311858
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-0585

Abstract

Abstract : Viral respiratory tract infections are the most common infections of childhood. They result in clinical syndromes ranging from mild upper respiratory tract infection to severe lower respiratory tract disease requiring intensive care. Respiratory viruses are most commonly identified from a respiratory swab or nasopharyngeal aspirate by real-time PCR, which has a very high sensitivity and specificity. In this article, we review when and how children should be tested for viral respiratory tract infections and how to interpret the result in context of the clinical picture.