Balloons are especially dangerous for young children. Avoid small toys. Illness of young children and infants. Most serious in first 2 years of life. Also associated with parainfluenza, adenovirus, influenzavirus, rhinovirus.
Majority occur during winter but can occur any season.
Rhinorrhea, sneezing, coughing, low-grade fever. Onset of rapid breathing and wheezing. CBC usually within normal limits. Blood gas, O 2 saturation levels, as appropriate. Nasal wash for RSV culture and antigen assay.