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Parainfluenza
DefinitionParainfluenza viruses cause upper and lower respiratory infections.
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
There are four types of Parainfluenza virus, all of which can cause upper respiratory infections or lower respiratory infections (pneumonia) in adults and children. The virus is especially important in children because it is responsible for approximately 40-50% of croup cases and 10-15% of bronchiolitis and bronchitis cases and some pneumonias.
The exact number of cases of parainfluenza is unknown but suspected to be very high. Sometimes the viruses cause only a runny nose and other symptoms that may be diagnosed as a simple cold rather than parainfluenza.
Risk factors for parainfluenza include young age. By school age, most children have been exposed to parainfluenza virus. Most adults have antibodies against parainfluenza although they can get repeat infections.
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- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD - Pediatric)
- Memory Loss
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Jump to another section
• Definition
• Parainfluenza Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Parainfluenza Symptoms & Signs
• Parainfluenza Prevention
• Parainfluenza Diagnosis & Tests
• Parainfluenza Treatment
• Parainfluenza Prognosis
• Parainfluenza Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Bronchiolitis
• Bronchitis
• Common Cold
• Croup
Tests & Exams
• CBC
Other Topics
• Breathing Difficulty
• Wheezing
Review Date : 11/18/2003
Reviewed By : D. Scott Smith, MD, MSc, DTM&H, Infectious Diseases Division and Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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