Respiratory viruses can cause many kinds of diseases. These infections do not respond to antibiotics, which means that many of these conditions have to run their course. Some of these conditions can be vaccinated against if you have access to vaccines in your area. Overall, treatment for respiratory viral diseases is typically centred around caring for the symptoms that these illnesses cause since there is no way to cure the condition.
The symptoms experienced related to these respiratory viruses vary based on the type of viral disease.
The flu usually includes a fever that is above 37 C. Severe muscle aches are common, as are chills, and fatigue. You might also sneeze and cough, or you could have diarrhoea or vomiting as part of your symptoms.
This condition also goes by the shortened name RSV. This respiratory virus is very contagious, and it infects the respiratory tract of most children before they turn two. The infection usually causes regular cold symptoms that are mild. However, in some cases, a child might have life-threatening symptoms like inflammation of the lungs and airways, bronchitis, or pneumonia.
This virus can cause unusual lethargy, lack of appetite, dehydration, a whistling sound when the child breathes, and a cough that includes yellow, green, or grey mucus.
These respiratory viruses infect the lining of the eyes, airways, and lungs. They can also infect the urinary tract, the intestines, and the nervous system. Adenoviruses cause coughing, fever, sore throat, pink eye, and diarrhoea. Small children are more prone to contracting this virus, but adults can contract adenovirus as well.
This group of respiratory viruses causes respiratory infections. Children get these infections more often than adults. There are four types, HPIV-1, HPIV-2, HPIV-3, and HPIV-4. Croup, upper respiratory infections, and lower respiratory tract infections are commonly associated with this virus. Coughing, fever, pneumonia, epiglottitis (swelling of the epiglottis), and sinus infection are common symptoms associated with these viruses.
Respiratory viral infections are spread by contact between infected people and healthy people. Many of these viruses affect children in greater numbers than adults because of day-cares, school, and playtime between children that are healthy and children who have caught the virus. Sneezes, coughing, and discharge related to both can infect other people with the virus.
The risk factors for respiratory viral infections are:
Diagnosis of these respiratory viral diseases is made by a doctor after taking a medical history of the patient and listening to their breathing. They might also elect to take a nasal or a throat swab to culture the fluids and see if bacteria grows in the sample. Some viruses can cause secondary infections due to prolonged inflammation of tissues in the nose and throat or the lungs.
In cases where pneumonia is suspected, a chest x-ray might be used to diagnose secondary problems in the lungs.
Prevention of respiratory viral infections involves reducing contact with those who are sick with these illnesses. You can wear a mask when you go out in public and make sure not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth during flu season. Always wash your hands before eating and have your child wash their hands frequently as well. Parents are advised to keep children who are sick home from day-care or school until they no longer show symptoms of their viral illness.
Treatment of respiratory viral infections typically involves drinking lots of fluids and getting rest. If your doctor has discovered a secondary infection related to your virus, they will provide you with antibiotics to treat this infection. You might also need breathing treatments if your lungs have been impacted significantly by the inflammation caused by the viral infection. Vomiting and diarrhoea can be treated with some over-the-counter medications, but severe dehydration that is secondary to these conditions might require intravenous fluids given by a doctor.