Data are analyzed as the percentage of specimens tested positive. During the 1990-91 season, the onset of outbreak activity nationally occurred in early October and peaked in late January 1991. Although the timing of the peak in the percentage of specimens positive for individual laboratories varied, these peaks usually occurred within 1 month of the national peak. In both previous seasons, RSV outbreak activity was reported by individual laboratories for up to 6 months. National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System laboratories.
Outbreaks usually begin in late fall or early winter and persist until spring.
RSV causes repeated symptomatic infections throughout life. The presence of RSV in a community should alert health-care workers to the risk for nosocomial transmission. RSV is a common but preventable nosocomial infection. References Committee on Infectious Diseases, American Academy of Pediatrics. Ribavirin therapy of respiratory syncytial virus.