Parainfluenza, or parainfluenza, is a disease whose symptoms often resemble a cold. However, in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, symptoms of respiratory diseases such as pneumonia and viral croup, which can be life-threatening, can develop. What are the causes and symptoms of parainfluenza? What is the treatment? How do you tell the difference between alleged flu and real flu?

Parainfluenza , otherwiseparainfluenza , is an infectious viral disease that runs between flu and colds, but most often resembles a common cold so it often doesn't even get diagnosed. Only in people at high risk - children, seniors and people with weakened immune systems - the disease can be severe and even life-threatening.

Parainfluenza (pseudo-flu) - causes

The cause of the disease isParainfluenza virus( HPIV-human parainfluenza virus ), belonging to paramyxovirus family, and therefore other than influenza virus, which belongs to the orthomyxovirus family.

There arefour types of parainfluenza viruses . They all cause lower and upper respiratory tract infections in children (responsible for 30-40% of all acute respiratory infections in infants and children) and adults, but the exact type of infection depends on the type of virus:

  • HPIV 1- is responsible for the development of acute subglottic laryngitis, tracheitis and bronchitis (also known as viral croup - a disease that causes swelling of the vocal cords) in children;
  • HPIV 2- also responsible for the development of the viral croup in children, but less frequently detected than the HPIV 1 virus;
  • HPIV 3- causes pneumonia and bronchiolitis in infants and young children, infections occur all year round, but the peak incidence occurs in spring and summer. This type of virus is the most virulent;
  • HPIV 4(subtype 4A and 4B) - is the least recognized;

Parainfluenza (pseudo-flu) - how do you get infected?

The virus is airborne and can be inhaled. The virus also occurs on the skin of the hands with which the sick person or objects contaminated by him are touched (e.g. door handles, furniture, etc.), from where it enters the roads.respiratory tract when you touch your mouth, nose, eyes, and food. Paragrippa can also be caught from a person who is infected without any obvious symptoms.

The parainfluenza virus can stay in the air for over an hour and on the surface for several (up to 10) hours.

Parainfluenza (pseudo-flu) symptoms

Symptoms depend on the type of infection, but the most common symptoms are similar to the common cold. They usually appear 3 to 7 days after infection:

  • acute or subacute onset of the disease
  • fever - increase in body temperature to 38 degrees C
  • runny nose (always) that occurs simultaneously with getting sick
  • "barking" cough
  • sore throat
  • rales and wheezing
  • weakness (usually moderate, allowing you to work)
  • appetite reduction
  • otitis (sometimes);

Symptoms that may be life-threatening (e.g. shortness of breath) usually appear in young children, the elderly and those with a weak immune system.

How to distinguish Paragrippa from real flu?

In the case of real flu, the onset of the disease is always very acute, and the fever reaches above 38 degrees C (even up to 41 degrees C, but usually it is 39 degrees C), and a runny nose practically does not occur. Even if it shows up, it's not until 2-3. one day after the onset of the disease symptoms, and not simultaneously with the onset of the disease, as is the case with parainfluenza. In addition, in the case of the flu, the weakness is so great that the patient cannot work.

Parainfluenza (parainfluenza) - diagnosis

In addition to examining the respiratory tract, your doctor may take a nasal swab and / or a throat swab for cell culture to see if the parainfluenza virus is causing the disease. He may also order a chest X-ray.

Parainfluenza (pseudo-flu) treatment

Treatment of parainfluenza is symptomatic. You can reach for nasal drops, paracetamol or an anti-inflammatory drug with ibuprofen.

As in the case of fludo not take preparations with salicylic acid(aspirin, polopyrin), because in contact with parainfluenza viruses it can cause Reye's syndrome, which is life-threatening.

Warming teas may also be helpful.

Parainfluenza (parainfluenza) - how to prevent it?

You should follow the basic rules of personal hygiene, especially regular washing of hands. In addition, close contact with those who are infected should be avoided. It is important that you follow these guidelines becausethere is no parainfluenza vaccine.

Category:

Infectious diseases