Its name comes from the fact that F proteins on the surface of the virus cause the cell membranes on nearby cells to merge , forming syncytia .
HRSV is a negative - sense , single - stranded RNA virus of the family Pneumoviridae .
HRSV 's name comes from the fact that F proteins on the surface of the virus cause the cell membranes on nearby cells to merge , forming syncytia .
HRSV is a negative - sense , single - stranded RNA virus of the family Pneumoviridae .