Beware of Rhinovirus pneumonia

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Dr. Phan Dinh Thuy Tien - General Internal Medicine - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.
The Rhino virus commonly causes the common cold and upper respiratory tract infections. Most cases are mild and resolve spontaneously. However, under the right conditions, Rhino virus can thrive, causing pneumonia, seriously affecting patient's health.

1. General characteristics of the Rhino virus

Rhinovirus is the main virus that causes the common cold syndrome in humans. Rhino virus belongs to the Picorna virus family, has the size from 20 - 27nm, has more than 100 different serotypes. Rhino virus grows quickly at temperatures of 33 - 37°C but is easily destroyed by stomach acid. Therefore, it is not capable of causing diseases in the gastrointestinal tract like viruses of the enteric virus group.
Regarding the pathogenic mechanism of Rhinovirus, this virus is transmitted in two ways: Direct person-to-person transmission (by inhaling respiratory secretions from infected patients at a close distance) and indirect transmission (through the table). hands, utensils, children's toys, table tops, chairs, doorknobs,... contaminated with nasal secretions or respiratory secretions containing viruses from sick people). The virus will enter the body through the upper respiratory tract and is limited to causing disease in this area. The incubation period is from 2 to 4 days, after which the sick person will show symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever, sore throat, cough, headache, sometimes chills, hoarseness. The disease usually lasts for about a week and then goes away on its own.
Colds caused by Rhino virus are common in winter - spring, everyone is at risk, but the incidence is higher in children. People such as children, the elderly, and people with chronic diseases with low resistance need to be alert to the risk of Rhinovirus infection to avoid complicated and difficult-to-treat cases.

2. Rhino virus can cause severe pneumonia

In malnourished children, prolonged cold and immunocompromised, colds caused by Rhinovirus can lead to bronchitis, bronchopneumonia or severe superinfection pneumonia. In addition, other respiratory viruses such as Corona virus, Coxsackie virus, influenza C virus, respiratory syncytial virus, ... can also cause cold syndrome and can co-infect with Rhino virus, causing serious illness. than. Prolonged cold weather is an opportunity for Rhino virus to grow quickly and cause severe damage to patients.
There are many cases of patients with acute pneumonia caused by Rhinovirus infection die because they are hospitalized too late, in very serious conditions such as blurred lungs, multi-organ failure,... Rhinovirus pneumonia still has no cure. specific treatment. Doctors can only treat the disease actively by increasing the patient's resistance to fight the virus.
If patients with Rhinovirus pneumonia are not isolated early, the virus will quickly spread to healthy people, especially thin, weak children with low immunity.

3. Treatment and prevention of the risk of Rhinovirus infection

Rhinovirus colds are usually mild and clear up on their own after a week. Treatment is usually aimed at relieving symptoms such as reducing cough, reducing fever, improving the patient's physical condition, and letting the patient rest more. Currently, there is no specific antiviral drug for Rhino virus. In clinical practice, the use of intranasal nebulizer interferon-alpha 2b and ipratropium, combined with oral naproxen has good effect. Research and use of a vaccine against Rhino virus is also not possible because this virus has more than 100 different serotypes and acquired immunity is specific for each type, there is no cross-immunity between blood types. bar.
Measures to prevent diseases caused by Rhino virus include:
Personal hygiene: Wash hands often with soap, regularly use paper towels impregnated with disinfectants such as dilute iodine to clean hands; avoid wiping hands on eyes and nose; using antiseptic drugs for the nasal passages, throat and eyes every day such as dilute salt water, garlic solution,...; Limit contact with disease sources: Avoid contact with sick people; when in contact with sick people should wear medical masks, glasses, hats, shirts; limit going to crowded places, especially tight and secret rooms in epidemic areas; Improve health: Eat, drink properly; exercise the body regularly; keep body warm and not catch cold (dress warm enough, avoid rain and don't wade in cold weather,...; Promptly go to the doctor: When there are symptoms of acute respiratory infection, the patient comes to the doctor right away. medical facilities for early diagnosis and timely treatment. Rhino virus is easily transmitted by respiratory droplets, so it can develop into an epidemic. Parents need to pay attention to keep warm and maintain personal hygiene for children.When children have symptoms of respiratory infection such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, low fever, ... parents should let the child go. If necessary, take a lung scan and do viral tests to detect the disease in time and have a reasonable treatment regimen
Doctor Thuy Tien has 18 years of experience in the field. medical examination and treatment. Currently working as a General Internal Medicine Doctor at the Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine, Vinmec Nha Trang International Hospital
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