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Parainfluenza - Treatment

Treatment:

There is no specific treatment for the viral infection. Specific treatments are available for the symptoms of croup and bronchiolitis.

Expectations (prognosis):

Most infections in adults and older children are mild and recovery takes place without treatment, unless the person is very old or has an abnormal immune system. Medical intervention may be necessary if breathing difficulties develop.

Complications:

Secondary bacterial infections are the most common complication. Airway obstruction in croup and bronchiolitis can be severe, even life-threatening.

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you or your child develops croup, wheezing or any other type of breathing difficulty. Contact your health care provider if a child under 18 months develops any type of upper respiratory symptoms.

Reviewed last on: 9/17/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Lee FUH, Treanor J. In: Mason RJ, Broaddus CV, Martin TR, et al. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 31.

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