A parent of an 8-month-old asks the nurse how it will be determined whether their child has respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Which is the nurse's best answer?

A. "We will do a simple blood test. A blood test may show signs of infection, such as elevated white blood cells, but it cannot confirm RSV. It is not a specific or reliable method for diagnosing respiratory syncytial virus in infants. B. "We will swab your child’s nose and send the specimen for testing. Nasopharyngeal swabs are commonly used to detect RSV using antigen detection or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. The procedure is non-invasive, and highly specific for diagnosing RSV. C. "We will have to sedate your child and do a CT scan of his chest." CT scans are not used to diagnose RSV and carry unnecessary risk, especially with sedation in infants. Imaging is reserved for complicated or atypical cases and does not confirm viral etiology. D. “There is no specific test for RSV." There are several reliable tests available for detecting RSV, including rapid antigen tests and PCR from nasal secretions. Accurate testing is important for confirming diagnosis and preventing transmission.