Parainfluenza virus

Parainfluenza virus (pronunciation: /ˌpærəˌɪnfluˈɛnzə ˈvaɪrəs/) is a type of virus that is known to cause respiratory infections, particularly in children. The term "parainfluenza" is derived from the Greek prefix "para-", meaning "beside" or "near", and "influenza", the name of a similar virus.

Classification

Parainfluenza virus belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family of viruses, which also includes the measles virus and mumps virus. There are four types of parainfluenza virus, known as types 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a parainfluenza virus infection can vary, but often include fever, cough, runny nose, and wheezing. In severe cases, the virus can lead to pneumonia or bronchiolitis.

Transmission

Parainfluenza virus is typically spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread by touching a surface contaminated with the virus and then touching the mouth or nose.

Prevention and Treatment

There is currently no specific vaccine for the parainfluenza virus. Prevention methods include good hand hygiene and avoiding close contact with infected individuals. Treatment is usually supportive, focusing on relieving symptoms and preventing complications.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Parainfluenza virus
Wikipedia's article - Parainfluenza virus

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Parainfluenza virus