Monoclonal antibody for reducing the risk of respiratory syncytial virus infection in children.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most important viral pathogens causing acute respiratory infections in children. It results in about 3.4 million hospitalisations annually in children under five.

Parental administration of antipyretics to children with upper respiratory tract infections without consultation with a physician.

Aim: To evaluate the administration of antipyretics to children with upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) by their parents or guardians without consultation with physicians, and compare epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients who received antipyretics and of untreated patients.

Methods: A prospective observational study was performed in three pediatric clinics in Zagreb, Croatia, from March to June 2002. A total of 171 children aged from 2 to 14 years with symptoms and signs of URTI lasting more than 2 days and fever above 38 °C lasting more than 2 days were included in the study.