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Common Viruses in Children
Viral infections are the most common cause of illness in children. They are highly contagious. Most viruses cause symptoms over a short period of time and produce mild illness. Some viruses can cause significant disease, especially in those who have chronic or debilitating conditions.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Respiratory Viruses
Respiratory viruses affect children by causing ear and throat infections, cough, runny nose and difficulty breathing. Some of these viruses can cause wheezing, pneumonia and respiratory failure. The most common respiratory viruses are the influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus and adenovirus. The Epstein-Barr virus causes mononucleosis, a common upper respiratory infection characterized by enlargement of neck glands and swelling of the throat.
- Respiratory viruses affect children by causing ear and throat infections, cough, runny nose and difficulty breathing.
- Some of these viruses can cause wheezing, pneumonia and respiratory failure.
Gastrointestinal Viruses
List of Diseases Caused by Viruses
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Gastrointestinal viruses cause vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms can lead to dehydration. Common gastrointestinal viruses are rotavirus, enterovirus and the cholera virus. Other gastrointestinal viruses include those responsible for liver disease, including the hepatitis viruses, cytomegalovirus and the Ebstein-Barr virus 1.
- Gastrointestinal viruses cause vomiting and diarrhea.
- Common gastrointestinal viruses are rotavirus, enterovirus and the cholera virus.
Central Nervous System Viruses
These viruses penetrate the central nervous system, including the brain and the spinal cord, and cause:
- meningitis
- which is an inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain,
- encephalitis
- an infection of the brain
The most common viral causes of meningo-encephalitis are enteroviruses, arboviruses (the most recognized arbovirus is the West Nile virus), and the herpes virus. Herpes can cause a devastating disease, usually presenting with seizures. In newborns, it can lead to permanent brain damage. The rabies virus also penetrates the brain, where it induces encephalitis. The HIV virus causes significant central nervous system disability.
- These viruses penetrate the central nervous system, including the brain and the spinal cord, and cause: * meningitis
* which is an inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain,
* encephalitis
* an infection of the brain The most common viral causes of meningo-encephalitis are enteroviruses, arboviruses (the most recognized arbovirus is the West Nile virus), and the herpes virus. - The rabies virus also penetrates the brain, where it induces encephalitis.
Vaccines Against Viruses
Drugs That Cause Peripheral Neuropathy
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Advances in medicine have lead to the development of several vaccines that protect against viruses which once caused disease. Other medicines act to prevent significant damage by these viruses. For example, Acyclovir is an antiviral that acts against the herpes virus. There is a vaccine against the rabies virus, but it is only used when there is suspicion of an exposure to rabid animals.
- Advances in medicine have lead to the development of several vaccines that protect against viruses which once caused disease.
- There is a vaccine against the rabies virus, but it is only used when there is suspicion of an exposure to rabid animals.
Related Articles
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Oski's Pediatrics: Principles & Practice; Julia A. McMillan, Ralph D. Feigin, Catherine DeAngelis, M. Douglas Jones; 2006
- Mills JT, Schwenzer A, Marsh EK, et al. Airway Epithelial Cells Generate Pro-inflammatory Tenascin-C and Small Extracellular Vesicles in Response to TLR3 Stimuli and Rhinovirus Infection. Front Immunol. 2019;10:1987. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2019.01987
- Warner SM, Wiehler S, Michi AN, Proud D. Rhinovirus replication and innate immunity in highly differentiated human airway epithelial cells. Respir Res. 2019;20(1):150. doi:10.1186/s12931-019-1120-0
- MedlinePlus. Immune response. Updated February 25, 2020.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Common Cold. Updated February 6, 2020.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Common Colds: Protect Yourself and Others. Updated February 11, 2019.
Writer Bio
Ruben J. Nazario has been a medical writer and editor since 2007. His work has appeared in national print and online publications. Nazario is a graduate of the University of Louisville School of Medicine, and is board-certified in pediatrics. He also has a Master of Arts in liberal studies from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.