Virology: Selected Viral Diseases of Humans

  • Major respiratory viruses: pneumotropic diseases

    • Rhinoviruses, coronaviruses, adenoviruses

Rhinovirus

  • chief cause of common cold

  • transmitted via airborne respiratory drops

  • thrive in lower temps

  • Symptoms

    • adults/older children: little to no fever

    • children: fever of 100-102

  • Complications: wheezing in children w/ asthma

Influenza Virus

  • Symptoms: Sudden high fever

  • Complications:

    • Secondary bacterial pneumonia

    • Reyes syndrome: encephalitis, fatty liver degeneration

      • 50% mortality

  • New strain yearly

Influenza A

  • extremely contagious

  • annual

  • cause of most epidemics

  • Reservoir: humans, pigs, birds

Influenza B

  • annual

  • less common than type A

  • similar to type A

  • reservoir: humans

Influenza C

  • Reservoir Humans

Human Parainfluenza Viral Infections