Viral-Lower Respiratory Infections: Lower Respiratory

Viral-Lower Respiratory Infections:

Lower respiratory tract disease in infants and young children are most commonly caused by viruses. This is a key public health dilemma within this age group. For example, almost 3% of all children less than a year old need to be admitted with modest or severe viral-lower respiratory tract infection every year. National healthcare budgets are usually burdened by costs attributed to viral lower respiratory tract infections. This is for both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Lower respiratory tract disease in children can be caused by a variety of viruses. Influenza viruses, para influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, rhinovirus and metapneumovirus are examples of the viruses that cause this infection. The most common cause of viral lower respiratory tract infection among infants and children is the respiratory syncytial virus. In most cases, no treatment is necessary for viral lower tract infections because thay are self-limiting. For syncytial virus, passive immunization prevents admission to hospital. The control of viral lower tract infections is possible through educational programs and development and implementation of practical guidelines.

The most severe disease amongst young children is caused by influenza viruses. According to a study in the United Kingdom, influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus not only occur among the people at the ends of the age range but also among people between 15-44 years (Woensel, Aalderen and Kimpen, par 6). More than 20% of influenza illnesses in all age groups are attributed to respiratory syncytial virus. The recently identified human metapneumovirus was isolated from nasopharyngeal aspirates in the Netherlands during the winter season. Almost all children have been exposed to metapneumovirus by the age of 5 years.

The worldwide outbreak of life threatening respiratory illness is called the severe acute respiratory syndrome. With the epicenters of the syndrome being Hong Kong and Guangdong province in China, the illness has spread to more than 25 countries. However, infants and young children are not a special risk group for the syndrome. The characteristics of this syndrome include an incubation time of up to 10 days, prodromal signs such as fever, lower respiratory signs such as dry cough and a 9% case fatality rate. With the treatment yet to be known, patients have been given various antibiotics that are active against known bacterial agents. To control the infection, standard, contact and airborne should be taken.