Differential Diagnosis for Fever with RSV
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Bronchiolitis: This is the most common diagnosis in infants and young children presenting with fever and RSV, as RSV is a major cause of bronchiolitis in this age group.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Pneumonia: RSV can cause pneumonia, especially in high-risk infants such as those with heart disease or premature infants.
- Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI): RSV can also cause symptoms of a common cold or URTI, including fever, in individuals of all ages.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus-induced Apnea: Especially in young infants, RSV infection can lead to apneic episodes, which can be life-threatening.
- Bacterial Superinfection: Secondary bacterial infections, such as bacterial pneumonia, can complicate RSV infections and are potentially life-threatening.
- Asthma Exacerbation: In children with asthma, RSV infection can trigger severe asthma exacerbations.
- Rare diagnoses
- RSV-induced Wheezing in Older Children and Adults: While less common, RSV can cause significant respiratory illness in older children and adults, especially those with underlying health conditions.
- RSV Pneumonia in Immunocompromised Adults: Immunocompromised adults are at risk for severe RSV infections, including pneumonia, which can have a high mortality rate.