Allergic factors aggravating the severity of recurrent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection

Abstract

We examined allergic factors aggravating the severity of recurrent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Thirty-one cases were divided between a severe group with exacerbation after the first episode (9 cases) and a non-severe group showing no change (22 cases), according to second or third positive RSV antigen rapid tests between April 2015 and March 2020. In patients with atopic dermatitis or wheezing, no significant difference was apparent between the severe and non-severe groups, but the frequency of food allergy was higher in the severe group than in the non-severe group. These results suggest food allergy as an allergic factor aggravating the severity of recurrent RSV infection.