Definition
Parainfluenza syndromes are diseases of various types that can be caused by about 250 different viruses. In most cases, the pathogens responsible are paramyxoviruses, but adenoviruses or enteroviruses can also occur.
Parainfluenza viruses can cause manifestations of different severity; the most common syndromes are respiratory (from the common cold to flu-like illnesses and pneumonia) and gastro-intestinal.
Parainfluenza syndromes generally cause autumn epidemics (from late October to December) and spring (from March to April), therefore outside the period of maximum incidence of influenza.
The infection occurs mainly by air, through droplets of saliva and respiratory secretions, directly (with coughing and sneezing) or indirectly (through the contamination of objects and surfaces). Some parainfluenza viruses, such as enteroviruses, can be transmitted via the faecal-oral route.
Most common symptoms and signs *
- Lowering of the voice
- Aphonia
- Asthenia
- Diarrhea
- Dyspnoea
- Abdominal pain
- Muscle pains
- Pharyngitis
- Temperature
- Abdominal swelling
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Closed nose
- odynophagia
- White patina on the tongue
- Throat Plates
- Cold
- rales
- Hoarseness
- rhinorrhoea
- Drowsiness
- Sneezing
- Squeal
- Cough
- He retched
Further indications
The most frequent parainfluenza syndromes affect the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems.
In the first case, there is a disease affecting the upper airway, similar to a severe cold associated with a sense of fatigue, sore throat, cough and some fever. In children, parainfluenza viruses can cause acute laryngotracheobronchitis (croup), which causes fever, cough, hoarseness and laryngeal stridor due to obstruction of the upper airway. Other respiratory forms manifest themselves in a similar way to pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
If parainfluenza syndromes affect the gastrointestinal tract, however, initial manifestations generally include sore throat, low-grade fever, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Unlike influenza, whose symptoms persist even for a week, parainfluenza syndromes, although frequent, are usually mild, self-limited and of short duration (usually, they resolve after three to four days from onset).
In the case of parainfluenza syndromes, a virological diagnosis is not necessary and no specific treatment exists. Therefore, the therapy is symptomatic and can include rest in a comfortable environment and medications, such as antipyretics, anti-emetic drugs against vomiting and cough syrups. Gastrointestinal disorders involve a loss of water and mineral salts, so it is important to drink a lot to avoid dehydration.
