HUMAN PARAINFLUENZA VIRUSES

Different Types of HPIVs

• HPIV-1 is the leading cause of croup in children.
• HPIV-2 also cause croup but are less often than HPIV-1.
• HPIV-3 is more often associated with bronchiolitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
• HPIV-4 is recognized less often but may cause mild to severe respiratory illnesses.

Symptoms of respiratory illness may include:

• Fever
• Runny Nose
• Cough
• Sore Throat
• Sneezing
• Wheezing
• Ear Pain
• Irritability
• Decreased Appetite

Symptoms of severe lower respiratory illness may include:

• Croup (an infection of the vocal cords, windpipe and bronchial tubes)
• Bronchitis (swelling of the main air passages that connect the windpipe to the lungs)
• Bronchiolitis (swelling in the smallest air passages in the lungs)
• Pneumonia (an infection of the lungs)

Young children are more likely to have severe illness, but older adults and people with weakened immune systems are also at risk.

You can have multiple HPIV illnesses in your lifetime.

DIAGNOSIS

To diagnose HPIV, especially to people who are part of a high-risk group, the doctor might perform the following:

• Physical Exam– To determine if your symptoms match those of HPIVs.
• Throat or Nose Swab– Your doctor may take a throat or nose swab for more accurate diagnosis. They can detect and identify the presence of a virus in a cell culture.
• Chest X-Ray or a CT Scan of your Chest– These are both imaging techniques that allow your doctor to see what’s happening in your respiratory system. X-rays and CT scans can help your doctor determine the extent of symptoms and whether you have complications such as pneumonia.

TREATMENT

Treatment option doesn’t eliminate HPIV from your body but only to relieve your symptoms. They may include:

• Saline Nose Drops
• Analgesics like Aspirin (Bufferin) or Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Cool Mist Humidifiers

The virus will usually resolve on its own.