1. Is there a blood test for RSV?
There are blood tests for RSV antibodies – the immune system’s response to the virus. These tests can detect previous exposure to RSV, but they are not usually considered clinically useful for diagnosing an active case of RSV.
3. Are antibiotics useful when I have RSV?
No, RSV is due to a virus – not a bacteria – so antibiotic therapy is not indicated or helpful. There is a short-term drug therapy that is given to some high-risk patients. It does not prevent or cure RSV infection, but it minimizes lower respiratory tract involvement (reducing the need for hospitalization in affected patients). This immunotherapy is often used in neonates in the intensive care nursery to protect them during RSV season. Premature infants can be especially vulnerable to RSV as they often do not get protective antibodies from their mothers.
