Human parainfluenza viruses (HPIV) are a group of viruses that cause different types of respiratory infections and are most common in children and babies. Most HPIV usually cause infections of the upper airway such as a common cold, ear infections, or sore throat.

Causes

More than 95 per cent of cases of croup are found due to a virus infection, usually a type known as parainfluenza, although other viruses, such as RSV or influenza, may also cause it. In a small number of cases a bacterial infection is to blame. Less often, it is caused by respiratory syncytial virus, the measles virus or various other viruses cause croup.

The exact number of cases of parainfluenza is unknown but suspected to be very high. Sometimes the viruses cause only a runny nose and other symptoms that may be diagnosed as a simple cold rather than parainfluenza.

Scientists think coronaviruses cause a large percentage of all adult colds. They bring on colds primarily in the winter and early spring. Of the more than 30 kinds, three or four infect humans.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of the specific disease are :-

Runny nose

Congestion

Cough

Sore throat

Croup

Wheezing

Bronchiolitis

Shortness of breath

Chest pain

Treatment

There is no cure for HPIV. Once a child is infected, treatment is supportive (aimed at treating the symptoms present). Because a virus causes the infection, antibiotics are not useful.

You can get relief from your cold symptoms by resting in bed, drinking plenty of fluids, gargling with warm salt water or using throat sprays or lozenges for a scratchy or sore throat, using petroleum jelly for a raw nose, taking aspirin or acetaminophen, Tylenol, for example, for headache or fever.

If intense symptoms of croup do not improve after 30 minutes of home treatment, take your child to an immediate care facility or hospital emergency room. A health professional may give your child extra oxygen or medication to help open the airway. Most often, your child can then go home after treatment and observation.

Supportive treatment for croup may include:

Take your child into cool, night air. A bathroom with the shower running may also help ease your child's breathing.

Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids.

Treat a fever with acetaminophen or ibuprofen (as instructed by your child's physician)

Keep your child as quiet and calm as possible to help decrease the breathing effort.