Medical expert of the article
New publications
Rhinovirus infection in children
Last reviewed: 19.11.2021
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Rhinovirus infection, or common cold, is an acute viral respiratory disease with a predominant lesion of the nasal mucosa and nasopharynx.
Epidemiology
Rhinovirus infection is common, but is most common in countries with a temperate and cold climate. It is registered in the form of epidemic outbreaks, especially in large cities, usually in the cold and damp season (autumn, winter). Sporadic incidence is recorded all year round. The source of infection are sick and virus carriers. The path of spread is airborne. Transmission of infection through household items, toys, although possible, but occurs extremely rarely because of the instability of the virus. The duration of the infectious period is about 5 days.
Susceptibility to rhinovirus infection is universal, but children of the first 6 months of life are relatively unresponsive because of passive immunity. The greatest incidence among children, especially those attending kindergartens, schools. With the introduction of a virus that previously did not circulate in the area, almost all infected with the source of infection, including children of the first months of life. After the transferred disease, a short type-specific immunity is formed. It is suggested that resistance to infection is determined not by serum, but by specific antibodies (IgA) of the nasopharynx.
Causes of rhinovirus infection
There are 113 serovars of rhinoviruses, cross serological reactions have been detected between individual serovars. As a subgroup, rhinoviruses are included in the picornavirus group . Virions with a diameter of 20-30 nm contain RNA. Many properties of rhinoviruses are similar to the properties of enteroviruses. They reproduce well in the culture of human fibroblasts of human embryos and in organ cultures of the epithelium of human trachea and ferrets. Poor in the environment.
Pathogenesis of rhinovirus infection
The entrance gate of the infection is the mucous membrane of the nose. Reproduction of the virus in the epithelial cells of the upper respiratory tract leads to the emergence of a local inflammation focus, which is accompanied by mucosal edema expressed by hypersecretion. In severe cases, it is possible to penetrate the virus from the site of primary localization to the general bloodstream, there is viremia, which is clinically accompanied by the appearance of general weakness, weakness, muscle pain, etc. Due to the weakening of local protection, bacterial infection can become active, which causes complications - otitis, tracheobronchitis, pneumonia .
The causes and pathogenesis of rhinovirus infection
Symptoms of rhinovirus infection
The incubation period is from 1 to 5 days, more often 2-3 days. The disease begins acutely with general malaise, cognition, subfebrile body temperature, nasal congestion, sneezing, sensation of a foreign body in the throat or awkwardness, scratching, coughing. Often there is a slight pain in the nose and aching all over the body. By the end of 1 day the nose is completely laid. There are abundant watery-serous discharge. The mucous membrane of the nasal cavity is hyperemic, edematous. Due to abundant discharge from the nose and frequent use of handkerchiefs, the skin of the vestibule of the nose is macerated. Sometimes there is herpes on the lips and on the eve of the nose. The face of the child is somewhat pastose, but profuse tearing of the eyes, sclera is injected. There may be mild hyperemia and swelling of the mucosa of the palatine tonsils, the front arch. Posterior pharyngeal wall. Sometimes children complain of heaviness in the nose, a complete lack of smell, taste, and hearing loss.
Symptoms of rhinovirus infection
Diagnosis of rhinovirus infection
Rhinovirus infection is diagnosed on the basis of abundant mucous discharge from the nose, maceration of the skin in its vestibule, mild ailment and coughing at normal or subfebrile body temperature. Of great importance are epidemiological data on similar diseases in people surrounding the child.
Treatment of rhinovirus infection
Treatment is predominantly symptomatic. To improve nasal breathing, instillation of vasoconstrictives into the nasal cavity is indicated: 1 or 2% solution of ephedrine hydrochloride, 0.05% solution of naphthysine or galazoline, boron-adrenaline drops 1-2 drops in each nasal passage 3 times / day. Showing a warm drink, hot foot baths, with a headache give paracetamol (Children's Panadol) at a dose of 15 mg / kg of the child's body weight, antihistamines (suprastin, tavegil), calcium gluconate. On the 1st day of the disease, leukocyte interferon-alpha can be sprayed into the nasal passages. In more severe cases, immunocorrectors (arbidol, anaferon baby, kagocel, amixin, gepon), as well as erespal, aflubin, and others are shown.
Diagnosis and treatment of rhinovirus infection
Forecast
Favorable.
Prevention
Conduct general anti-epidemic measures (early isolation of patients, ventilation, wet cleaning with disinfectant solutions, ultraviolet irradiation).
With preventive purpose, nasal passages spray leukocyte interferon. Specific prophylaxis is not developed.
[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13]