Parainfluenza is an infectious disease. It is caused by a virus of the same name. Parainfluenza most often affects young children (on average, two to five to six years). The disease differs in that the intoxication syndrome is less pronounced than that of the flu, and the pathogen is not as variable. This disease is transmitted only by airborne droplets (aerosol transmission mechanism). If there are droplets of the saliva of a sick person in the air, then with the inhaled air the virus settles on the mucous membranes, mainly on the upper respiratory tract. In the place where the virus settles, inflammation appears - a protective reaction that occurs in the body as a response to harmful effects. Edema appears, mucus accumulates. Since the virus is capable of completely destroying epithelial cells, it enters the bloodstream through the upper respiratory tract and causes intoxication of the body.
How does parainfluenza manifest itself in children? Symptoms and treatment of this disease will be described in the article.
Characterization of the virus
Parainfluenza is a paramycovirus containing RNA as its genetic material. It is quite large, reaching 300 nanometers in size. These viruses agglutinate (stick together) the red blood cells of humans and monkeys, guinea pigs and chickens. The causative agent is extremely unstable in the external environment. The apartment remains in the air for no more than four hours. If the environment of the virus is heated to 50 degrees Celsius, then it is completely inactivated (loses pathogenic properties) after 30 minutes.
Periods of illness
The first period is the incubation period. It begins immediately after the introduction of the virus into the child's body and lasts for a week. In the last days of this period, the patient becomes dangerous to others, because he is the source of parainfluenza. The next period is prodromal. It lasts from two days to a week and is characterized by the appearance of the first catarrhal phenomena (focal inflammation that occurs at the site of the virus settling).
Epidemiology
This disease is very common among military personnel. However, parainfluenza is most common in children. This infection accounts for 10 to 30% of all childhood respiratory infections. The greatest rise in incidence is observed in winter among babies in the first few years of life. Outbreaks of this disease are not uncommon in groups (for example, in kindergartens). Almost every child gets parainfluenza several times in their life.
Parainfluenza: symptoms in children
Symptoms of this disease are fewdifferent from the symptoms of influenza or SARS. These include weakness, a feeling of "ache" in the whole body, headache, fever and loss of appetite. These symptoms are the body's reaction to the introduction of the virus.
Most of the specific symptoms are based on the fact that the parainfluenza virus in children primarily affects the upper respiratory tract. The voice becomes hoarse, the child constantly coughs, but sputum does not stand out, a runny nose appears with purulent mucous secretions. The baby has red enlarged tonsils that protrude beyond the edges of the palatine arches, the pharynx is swollen and also red. False croup syndrome is common. The larynx becomes inflamed, swells, which leads to its narrowing and poor airway patency. False croup manifests itself in the form of shortness of breath on inspiration (inspiratory) and a “barking” cough, as in whooping cough.
Influenza and parainfluenza in children are difficult to distinguish on their own. For this reason, in no case should you neglect the advice of a doctor.
Possible Complications
Children's immunity is not able to cope with this disease on its own, as immune cells cannot produce enough antibodies. Thus, if the body is not supported in any way, the disease will progress, worsening the general condition of the child.
The disease manifests itself immediately, the temperature rises to the level of forty degrees already three days after infection.
If parainfluenza is not treated, the child may experience various complications. These include sinusitis(inflammation of the sinuses), tonsillitis (inflammation of the mucous membranes of the throat), pneumonia (pneumonia) and so on. Common to all these complications is that they are entirely bacterial infections. For the most part, their pathogens are contained in the normal microflora of the human body and are activated with a decrease in immune functions. These complications worsen the general condition of the child, negatively affect his further development. As a rule, when complications appear, the fever increases (the temperature resumes or rises), the symptoms of intoxication appear more pronounced. Pneumonia is usually accompanied by very severe weakness - the child cannot even get out of bed. A dry and barking cough transforms into a wet one, purulent-mucous sputum is released, dizziness appears, sweating increases, chills, the pulse quickens, and chest pain appears when inhaling and exhaling.
Disease forms
At the moment, there are three forms of parainfluenza. Their difference lies in how the disease proceeds. There are mild, moderate and severe forms. During a mild form, the temperature either does not rise at all (normal), or remains throughout the disease from 37.1 to 38.0 degrees Celsius (subfebrile). In moderate forms, the average temperature ranges from 38.1 to 39.0 degrees (pyretic). The most rare form of parainfluenza is severe. The temperature rises above 39.1 degrees (hyperpyretic), the symptoms of intoxication are very pronounced.
Diagnosis
Direct indications for examination are manifested symptoms - catarrhal phenomena, false croup syndrome. A chest x-ray and a blood test to check for antibodies to the virus are needed.
Signs of parainfluenza in children are often similar to those of other viral diseases such as influenza, adenovirus and respiratory syncytal infections. Therefore, the final diagnosis cannot be made only on the basis of objective and subjective symptoms, laboratory results are needed.
Types of parainfluenza
There are five types of parainfluenza virus. The fourth and fifth are not dangerous to humans, but the first three are pathogenic and cause disease. Type 1 parainfluenza in children is characterized by false croup syndrome as a complication. The second is not much different from the first. But the third is considered the main pathogen. Its main complication is pneumonia, and the disease itself is the most severe.
Treatment of parainfluenza
In general, a disease diagnosed in time is successfully treated. Treatment of parainfluenza in children can be carried out at home, but only if there is no false croup syndrome and severe bacterial complications (sinusitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia). It is carried out symptomatic means (cough medicines, runny nose, antipyretics). One of the most effective methods is the introduction of a special drug - influenza immunoglobulin. This medicine contains antibodies to a specific type of virus.
Neverthelessit is used only in severe forms of the disease. In mild and moderate forms, it is considered sufficient to treat only the symptoms. Bed rest is considered important. You also need high-calorie food without any restrictions and plenty of warm drinks.
Do not forget that treatment should be under the supervision of a doctor!
Folk remedies
Among medicinal herbs you can find antimicrobial (chamomile, St. John's wort, sage, calendula, eucalyptus) and antiviral (pomegranate skins, raspberries, onions, blackberries, garlic, echinacea). Linden, coltsfoot, raspberries are good at reducing heat, while licorice, dill, oregano and quince have a bronchodilatory and expectorant effect.
It should be remembered that treatment with folk methods is only permissible for older children who do not have concomitant pathologies. In toddlers and weakened children, the disease proceeds rapidly, and the process is generalized at lightning speed. Therefore, in these cases, only drug treatment is indicated, preferably with hospitalization of the patient.
Parainfluenza forecast
Most often the prognosis of the disease in children is positive. Lethal outcomes are extremely rare. Mostly this happens when serious diseases develop. These include pneumonia, as well as purulent laryngotracheobronchitis.
Preventive measures
Prevention of parainfluenza is no different from the prevention of other infectious diseases. A sick child should be isolated immediately after the illness has been identified. Virus isolationlasts about 5-7 days, so isolation is necessary for just such a period of time. The room where the patient is located must be constantly ventilated, and the surrounding objects should be treated with a disinfectant solution. Contact with the sick should be minimized, and in emergency situations, a medical mask should be used. Also, it will not be superfluous to take antiviral and antibacterial drugs.
Vaccination
There is an opinion that flu and parainfluenza vaccines do not exist. This is not entirely true. The flu is really very changeable, has a huge number of strains, and therefore it is pointless to get vaccinated against it. With parainfluenza, the situation is quite different. There is a vaccine against it, because, as mentioned earlier, this virus hardly changes. However, the debate about the effectiveness of this vaccine does not subside for a minute, so the decision on the need for immunization of the child rests solely with the parents.
Paraflu - scary or not?
Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that in the modern world, parainfluenza in children is not something very scary or dangerous. Most children successfully tolerate this disease, provided that all necessary hygiene and preventive measures are observed. Timely diagnosis and proper treatment are also very important. Stay he althy!
