What is the parainfluenza virus (HPIV)?

The Parainfluenza virus is also called the Human Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) Infection.

The Parainfluenza virus (HPIV) causes upper and lower respiratory tract infections resulting in cold-like symptoms such as sneezing runny, nose, labored breathing, cough, and fever.

The people most at risk of the Parainfluenza virus (HPIV) are babies, infants, young children, the elderly, and those with weak respiratory or immune systems. The viruses can be transmitted through the air by infected water droplets or by touching surfaces contaminated by infected water droplets from someone carrying the Parainfluenza virus (HPIV).

The Parainfluenza virus (HPIV) can survive outside of the human body in the air for about an hour, and for about 10 hours on a surface which is why it easily spreads in crowded spaces. 

The Human Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) is a family of viruses which cause Parainfluenza.

There are 4 known types of human parainfluenza viruses which include:

• HPIV1 can mainly affect children and causes croup and upper respiratory illnesses.
• HPIV2 can also mainly affect children and causes croup and cold-like symptoms.
• HPIV3which again mainly seems to affect children and results in pneumonia and bronchiolitis in children.
• HPIV4 which has 2 strains which are HPIV-4A and HPIV-4B. HPIV4 can cause respiratory distress although it is not very common.²

What risk factors can predispose you to the parainfluenza virus (HPIV)? 

The following individuals have predisposing risk factors that can make them more vulnerable to the Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV):

• Babies, infants, and children younger than 5 and adults over 65 are at a greater risk of transmitting the Parainfluenza virus (HPIV)¹
• Individuals with a compromised immune system due to HIV/AIDS, being on immunity-suppressing drugs or having a chronic lung condition such as asthma, COPD, or interstitial lung disease³
• Medical workers or those working in daycare centres living/working near infected individuals.
• Individuals who have poor nutrition and are undernourished
• Individuals who are deficient in Vitamin A

Although an individual that has these risk factors may not necessarily transmit HPIV, having one or more risk factors increases the chance of getting the Parainfluenza virus (HPIV) compared to an individual without any risk factors.

The chance of contamination can be reduced by washing hands before touching any part of the face, avoiding crowded areas and disinfecting surfaces that have been frequently touched. 

Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) infections tend to be more common during spring, summer, and autumn although Parainfluenza (HPIV) infections can be transmitted any time of the year.

What are the signs and symptoms of the parainfluenza virus (HPIV)?

The Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) can cause infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Upper respiratory illness from any type of the Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) mainly causes the symptoms of a common cold. Signs and symptoms may include:

• Runny nose
• Cough
• Sneezing
• Fever
• Sore throat³

Symptoms of the Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) may also include:

• Ear pain
• Decreased appetite
• Irritability

The Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) can also cause more serious illnesses in children such as:

• Bronchiolitis (infection in the smallest air passages of the lungs)
• Bronchitis (infection of the main air passages that connect the windpipe to the lungs)
• Pneumonia (an infection of the lungs)
• Croup (infection of the vocal cords (larynx), windpipe (trachea), and sometimes into the bronchial tubes (bronchi)¹

The Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) can cause more serious illnesses which may have symptoms including:

• Stridor (noisy or high-pitched sound with breathing)
• Hoarseness
• Barking cough
• Wheezing⁴

What are the possible complications of the parainfluenza virus (HPIV)?

The Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) could lead to the following complications:

Croup - a type of bronchitis in which affected children have symptoms of laboured breathing and a “barking” cough

Pneumonia- inflammation of air sacs in the lungs

Bronchiolitis - the airways of some individuals may be remodelled which can result in or exacerbate certain chronic respiratory illnesses. ¹

A healthcare provider might check the symptoms presented, take a nasal swab to detect the viral particles present, and take a chest x-ray to diagnose HPIV Infection and how serious it is.

Normally the Parainfluenza virus (HPIV) does not require any treatment other than getting plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids, and taking over-the-counter medication for fever.

If however, an individual gets complications such as croup, pneumonia, or bronchitis, medications such as corticosteroids, nebulizers, and antibiotics may be required.

 Contact your healthcare provider if your child develops croup, wheezing, or any other type of breathing difficulty and if a child under 18 months develops any type of upper respiratory symptoms.

Some simple practices, such as washing hands before touching any part of the face, avoiding crowded areas, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, and staying home when ill are all steps that can help stop the transmission of the Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV).

How is the parainfluenza virus (HPIV) diagnosed?

The following tests can be used to diagnose a Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) Infection:

• A physical examination and medical history evaluation (including pre-existing conditions and previous history of lung infections)
• A review of the individual signs and symptoms
• A Nasal swab
• A Chest x-ray (if deemed necessary by the healthcare provider)

How is parainfluenza treated?

Parainfluenza is caused by a virus therefore there is no specific treatment for the illness. Most individuals with the Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) Infection recover on their own, however, you can relieve your symptoms by doing the following:

• Take appropriate over-the-counter medications for pain such as (Paracetamol) acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Please note that Aspirin should not be given to children. Ensure you always read the label before use.
• Drink plenty of liquids
• Stay home and rest

Antibiotics are not effective against viruses. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections. If you have difficulty breathing then your healthcare provider may recommend corticosteroids and nebulizers. If your HPIV virus results in a secondary bacterial infection your healthcare provider may recommend treatment with antibiotics.

How can parainfluenza be prevented?

Currently, there are no vaccines available for the prevention of Parainfluenza infections. However, you can reduce your risk of catching the Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) and other infections by taking the below actions to help stop germs spreading:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you cannot wash your hands then you can use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid getting too close to people who are sick.

If you already have the Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) you are advised to do the following to prevent spreading the virus to other people:

• Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing
• Avoid crowded spaces and closed areas
• Avoid contaminating surfaces that other people will use by cleaning them if you touch them

What is the outlook for individuals with the parainfluenza virus? 

In most cases, older children and healthy adults with Parainfluenza do not need medical intervention and recover by themselves.

However, babies, infants, young children, the elderly, or immune-compromised individuals (people with a weakened immune system) with Parainfluenza Virua (HPIV) could end up with serious complications requiring hospitalization and longer recovery times.

Most children will develop an infection with the Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) before they are 5 years old.

Babies normally have protection from Parainfluenza during the first 6 months of their life.

Summary

The Human Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV) is a respiratory virus causing cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, fever, and sore throat. It can also lead to more severe conditions like pneumonia, croup, bronchiolitis, and bronchitis, especially in children. There are four types of HPIV, with types 1-3 commonly affecting children and causing respiratory distress. HPIV spreads through droplets or contaminated surfaces and is more common during spring, summer, and autumn.

Risk Factors include young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems or chronic respiratory conditions. Infections can cause complications in these vulnerable groups. Prevention involves hand hygiene, avoiding crowded areas, and disinfecting surfaces. Currently, there is no vaccine, and treatment focuses on symptom relief, with more severe cases requiring medications like corticosteroids or nebulizers.

Outlook: Most healthy individuals recover without medical intervention, but infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals may require hospitalization.