Respiratory syndromes
Respiratory
infections by viruses include mild upper respiratory infections (common cold),
more serious infections (syndromes) as described here, pneumonia, and severe
respiratory syndromes such as SRAS, MERS and COVID. The syndromes described here
are caused by PIV and RSV.
Parainfluenza viruses cause mild to severe respiratory infections, including
croup. RSV is the most common cause of deaths in infants and young
children due to respiratory infection.
Summary
- Cause: Paramyxoviruses (RSV, parainfluenza virus)
- Transmission: Respiratory droplets
- Symptoms: cold-like to pneumonia (RSV) and laryngotracheobronchitis
(PIV)
- Pathogenesis: Infection of respiratory epithelium causes syncytia
(RSV) or giant cell formation and cell lysis; Cell-mediated immune response
damages epithelium
- Treatment: supportive; ribavirin and immunoglobulin
(palivizumab) for RSV
- Immunity: short-lived (IgA)
- Vaccine: none
- Special notes: No viremia - localized infection; infants & children
most at risk
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