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Information

Tissue culture, rapid testing with immunofluorescence or ELISA (both of which are less sensitive), or PCR of respiratory tract secretions, throat swabs, or nasopharyngeal washings can detect the virus.

Treatment: Parainfluenza Virus

Treatment of upper respiratory tract disease is symptom-based. Humidified air may be helpful for mild cases of croup.

  • For cases of croup with respiratory distress, intermittent racemic epinephrine and glucocorticoids are beneficial.
  • Anecdotal reports describe the use of ribavirin (particularly in immunosuppressed pts), but its clinical utility is still unclear.

Outline

Section 7. Infectious Diseases