Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV):
Respiratory Syncytial Virus is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family. It is enveloped and primarily spreads through respiratory droplets. RSV is a major cause of respiratory tract infections, particularly in infants and young children. The virus can cause repeated infections throughout life, and severe cases may lead to bronchiolitis or pneumonia.

Diseases caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus:
RSV infections can manifest as mild cold-like symptoms, but in young children and infants, the virus often causes more severe respiratory illnesses such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Bronchiolitis is characterized by inflammation and congestion of the small airways in the lungs, leading to coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Severe RSV infections are more common in premature infants, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Detection and Diagnosis of Respiratory Syncytial Virus:
Diagnosing RSV infections involves clinical evaluation and laboratory tests. Common symptoms include cough, runny nose, and fever. Laboratory confirmation can be obtained through serological ELISA tests, like the ones available here which detect reactive antibodies, viral culture, and molecular techniques like reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Rapid diagnostic tests are often used for quick results in clinical settings, while molecular methods provide higher sensitivity and specificity.