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Respiratory viruses are among the most common causes of infection among solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Respiratory viruses, such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, can cause a range of disease from asymptomatic shedding, upper respiratory infections, to life threatening pneumonia. In addition, respiratory viruses may be associated with chronic sequelae, including devasting late complications such as chronic rejection in lung transplant recipients and late airflow obstruction among hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Currently only influenza has an available vaccine and licensed antivirals are limited to influenza and RSV. However, there are a number of novel vaccine candidates, preventative therapies, and antiviral drugs currently in development for the treatment and prevention of other clinically important respiratory viruses. Due to the limitation in currently available treatment options and the increased risk of transmission among high-risk transplant patients, infection prevention and control efforts remain the cornerstone to prevention during respiratory virus season and outbreaks. In this chapter, we will review the epidemiology, clinical presentation, prevention strategies, and management options for respiratory viruses in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-01751-4_32-1