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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