Parainfluenza
A common virus that causes respiratory infections in infants and young children. Types I and II may cause CROUP; type III also may cause BRONCHIOLITIS and bronchopneumonia. Types I, III, and IV are associated with sore throats and the common COLD.
The parainfluenza virus is part of the group of germs that includes the RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS and the agents causing MEASLES and MUMPS.
Between 90 percent and 100 percent of children over age five have antibodies to type III, and about 75 percent have antibodies to type I and type II. The different types occur at different times of the year and have different symptoms. Type I causes biennial outbreaks of croup in the fall during odd-numbered years. Type II causes annual or biennial fall outbreaks, while type III occurs mostly during the spring and early summer months each year, although the virus can be found throughout the year.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on the type of infection. Cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose and mild cough are common. Life-threatening respiratory symptoms may occur in young infants with bronchiolitis.
Treatment
Most infection in adults and older children are mild and do not require treatment. Treatment may be necessary if breathing difficulties or respiratory distress develop.
Complications
Secondary bacterial infections are the most common complication. Airway obstruction in croup and bronchiolitis can be severe and potentially life threatening.
Prevention
No vaccine is currently available to protect against infection; however, researchers are developing vaccines against type I and type III infection. Passively acquired maternal antibodies may play a role in protection from types I and II in the first few months of life. Frequent hand-washing and use of separate cups, glasses, and utensils should decrease the spread of virus. Excluding children with colds or other respiratory illnesses (without fever) who are well enough to attend child-care or school settings will probably not decrease the spread of the parainfluenzas, because the viruses are often spread in the early stages of illness.
The parainfluenza virus is part of the group of germs that includes the RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS and the agents causing MEASLES and MUMPS.
Between 90 percent and 100 percent of children over age five have antibodies to type III, and about 75 percent have antibodies to type I and type II. The different types occur at different times of the year and have different symptoms. Type I causes biennial outbreaks of croup in the fall during odd-numbered years. Type II causes annual or biennial fall outbreaks, while type III occurs mostly during the spring and early summer months each year, although the virus can be found throughout the year.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on the type of infection. Cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose and mild cough are common. Life-threatening respiratory symptoms may occur in young infants with bronchiolitis.
Treatment
Most infection in adults and older children are mild and do not require treatment. Treatment may be necessary if breathing difficulties or respiratory distress develop.
Complications
Secondary bacterial infections are the most common complication. Airway obstruction in croup and bronchiolitis can be severe and potentially life threatening.
Prevention
No vaccine is currently available to protect against infection; however, researchers are developing vaccines against type I and type III infection. Passively acquired maternal antibodies may play a role in protection from types I and II in the first few months of life. Frequent hand-washing and use of separate cups, glasses, and utensils should decrease the spread of virus. Excluding children with colds or other respiratory illnesses (without fever) who are well enough to attend child-care or school settings will probably not decrease the spread of the parainfluenzas, because the viruses are often spread in the early stages of illness.
Tags: Bronchiolitis, bronchopneumonia, Common Cold, common virus, CROUP, measles, mumps, Parainfluenza, respiratory infections, RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS, sore throats
Posted in Health and Wellness
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