Respiratory problems

Common cold

The common aetiologic agents are

• Rhinoviruses

• Coronaviruses

• Influenza virus

• Adenovirus

• Parainfluenza virus

Patient may present with sneezing, nasal discharge, and nasal obstruction.

Pharyngitis (sore throat)

The etiologic agents include

• Epstein Barr virus

• Adenovirus

• Respiratory syncytial virus

Sign & symptoms

Sore throat, red throat, pain on swallowing, and fever

Croup ( laryngotracheobronchitis)

The main causative agents are

• Parainfluenza Virus

• Respiratory syncytial Virus

• adenovirus

• Measles

May present with coryzal symptoms followed by cough (brassy or barking type), hoarseness, strider, and shortness of breath.

Bronchiolitis

The main causative agents are

• Respiratory Syncytial Virus

• Human Metapneumovirus

• Parainfluenza virus

• Adenovirus

Usually the child is less than 1 year old.

Cough, shortness of breath, and inspiratory wheezing.

Pneumonitis

There are a number of viruses which are associated with pneumonia, and the main ones are:

In Immunocompetent Patients

• Influenza virus

• Parainfluenza

• Respiratory syncytial Virus

• Measles

• Chickenpox

In Immunocompromised patients

In addition to the viruses that causes pneumonia in immunocompetent patients, other viruses like

• Cytomegalovirus

• Human Herpes Virus type 6 (HHV 6)

are associated with severe pneumonitis.

Clinical presentations

Cough, fever, shortness of breath, respiratory distress, and cyanosis.

Investigation

 Nasopharyngeal swabs, and Nasopharyngeal aspirates are appropriate samples.

Use viral transport media.

Specimen collected in the first few days of symptomatic illness are more useful.