Radiologic features are variable depending upon the extent of the infection.
Diagnosis is established by isolation of RSV from respiratory secretions, particularly, sputum or throat swabs. Immunologic reactions such as ELISA are then used to detect the virus in tissue culture.
Techniques based on complement fixation or neutralisation of antibody titres are more valuable in older children and adults.
A bedside immunoassay kit is now available which detects RSV; confirmation should be sought with the laboratory tests detailed above.
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