OVERVIEW
Overview
Parainfluenza is an acute upper respiratory tract infection caused by parainfluenza viruses and is most often seen in children under 5 years of age as a lower respiratory tract infection.
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Department of Medicine
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Infection.
Clinical symptoms
Fever, runny nose, sore throat.
Hazards
Severe cases may cause bronchitis, even pneumonia and respiratory failure.
Examination
Nasopharyngeal swab virus isolation; serum antibody test.
Diagnosis
Preliminary diagnosis can be made on the basis of epidemiology and clinical symptoms of typical upper respiratory tract infections, but confirmed diagnosis depends on virus isolation and serologic examination.
Treatment principle
Self-healing, symptomatic treatment.
Curability
It is a self-limiting disease, and most of them can be cured spontaneously. Treatment can reduce complications and accelerate self-cure.
Dietary advice
In mild cases, drink plenty of water and pay attention to rest; eat a light diet and consume more fruits and vegetables.
Important Reminder
Parainfluenza virus infection occurs in winter and spring. Avoid crowded public places, especially for infants, young children and the elderly.
Causes
Epidemiology
Children, infants, young children and the elderly are more susceptible to infection.
Causes
Contact with parainfluenza patients.
Route of transmission
Through airborne droplets, spread through the respiratory tract.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Typical Symptoms
The incubation period is 3 to 7 days, and there will be fever, sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, fatigue, muscle aches and pains, etc. The symptoms are usually mild and easy to cure. When accompanied by severe coughing and sputum, it is necessary to be alert to bronchitis and pneumonia.
Diagnostic basis
Nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat and other cold symptoms, and nasopharyngeal swab virus isolation is needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment
Symptomatic treatment.
Drug treatment
Symptomatic treatment, e.g. antipyretic drugs, heat-clearing and fire-removing proprietary Chinese medicines.
Other treatments
Severe disease, combined with bronchitis and pneumonia, give anti-infection treatment.
Prognosis
Generally it can be cured by itself. Young children and children with imperfect immune system, and the elderly with low immunity have severe symptoms after infection, which often lead to bronchitis, pneumonia and respiratory failure.
Nursing care
Daily care
Pay attention to personal hygiene, wash hands often, and ventilate the room frequently; go to public places as little as possible; pay attention to weather changes and increase or decrease clothes in time; strengthen physical exercise to increase the resistance of the respiratory tract.
Diet
Drink more water and eat more vegetables and fruits.