Beware of Rhino virus pneumonia

The article was consulted professionally by Dr Phan Dinh Thuy Tien – General Internal Medicine Doctor – Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine – Share99 Nha Trang International Hospital.

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Rhino virus usually causes common colds and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. Most cases usually present mildly and self-healing. However, under appropriate conditions rhino virus can thrive, causing pneumonia, seriously affecting the patient's health.

1. General characteristics of rhino virus

Rhinovirus is the main virus that causes common cold syndrome in humans. Rhino virus is located in the family Picorna virus, which is between 20 -27nm in size, has more than 100 different types of serum. Rhino virus grows rapidly 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 such as viruses belonging to the group of intestinal viruses.

Regarding the pathogenic mechanism of Rhinovirus, this virus is transmitted in two ways: Direct human-to-human transmission (due to inhalation of respiratory secretions from a sick person at close range) and indirect transmission (through hands, belongings, children's toys, tables, chairs, door handles,… infected with nasal or respiratory secretion containing viruses from sick people). The virus will enter the body according to the upper respiratory tract and is limited to pathogenicity in this area. The incubation period is from 2-4 days, after which the person will appear symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, mild fever, sore throat, cough, headache, sometimes feeling chills, hoarseness. The disease usually lasts for about 1 week and then cures itself.

Rhino virus colds are common in winter and spring, and all subjects are at higher risk but have a higher incidence in children. Subjects such as children, the elderly, people with chronic diseases with poor resistance should be wary of the risk of Rhino virus infection to avoid complicated and difficult-to-treat diseases.

Congenital heart disease in children

Children are subject to higher Rhino virus colds

2. Rhino virus can cause severe pneumonia

In malnourished children, prolonged cold infections and immuno-deterioration, a rhino virus cold can lead to bronchitis, bronchopneumonia or severe pneumonia. In addition, other respiratory viruses such as Corona virus, Coxsackie virus, influenza C virus, respiratory cellular virus,… can also cause cold syndrome and can be contagious with rhino virus, making the disease worse. Prolonged cold weather is an opportunity for the Rhino virus to grow rapidly and cause serious damage to patients.

There are many cases of patients with acute pneumonia caused by Rhino virus infection who die from hospitalization too late, in very severe conditions such as blurred lungs, multi-organ failure,… Rhino viral pneumonia does not yet have a specific treatment. Doctors can only treat the disease actively by increasing the patient's resistance to fight the virus.

Without early isolation of patients with Rhino virus pneumonia, the virus will quickly spread to healthy people, especially thin, poorly immune children.

Viral pneumonia

Rhin virus pneumonia can cause multiple organ failure if not treated early

3. Treatment and prevention of the risk of Rhino virus infection

Rhino virus colds are usually mild and self-healing after 1 week. The treatment is usually aimed at alleerating symptoms such as reducing cough, reducing fever, improving the patient's condition, so that the patient rests more. There are currently no antiviral drugs specific to rhino virus. Clinically, the use of interferon-alpha 2b and nasal ipratropium, combining oral naproxen for good effect. The problem of researching and using a vaccine to prevent rhino virus is also not possible because this virus has more than 100 different types of serum and the obtained immunity is specific to each type, there is no cross-immunity between serum types.

Preventive measures caused by rhino virus include:

  • Personal hygiene: Wash your hands often with soap, regularly use paper towels impregnated with bactericidal agents such as diluted iodine to clean hands; avoid cleaning your hands on your eyes and nose; daily use of nasal, throat and eye antiseptic drugs such as diluted saline, garlic juice solution,…;
  • Limit contact with disease sources: Avoid contact with people with the disease; when interacting with sick people should wear medical masks, glasses, hats, shirts; limit to crowded places, especially cramped and secret rooms in epidemic areas;
  • Improve health: Eat, rest properly; regular physical training; keep your body free from cold (wear warm enough, avoid rainwater, and do not wade when it is cold,…;
  • Timely examination: When there are manifestations of acute respiratory inflammation, patients immediately visit medical facilities for early diagnosis and timely treatment.

Rhino virus is easily transmitted by the respiratory tract so it can develop into an epidemic. In the immediate eye, when there is no specific treatment, parents need to pay attention to keep warm and maintain personal hygiene for children. When the child has manifestations of respiratory inflammation such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, mild fever,… parents should take their children to specialized medical facilities. If necessary, a lung scan and viral tests will be performed to detect the disease in a timely manner and have a reasonable treatment regimen.

Dr Thuy Tien has 18 years of experience in medical examination and treatment. Currently, he is a General Internal Medicine Doctor of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine department of Share99 Nha Trang International Health Hub.

SEE MORE:

  • Treatment and care for young children with pneumonia
  • 10 signs that distinguish the flu from a cold
  • Treatment of pneumonia in children

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SEE MORE:

  • Is a cold contagious?
  • What is a symptomatic cold?
  • Cold treatment: What works, what doesn't?

About: John Smith

b1ffdb54307529964874ff53a5c5de33?s=90&r=gI am the author of Share99.net. I had been working in Vinmec International General Hospital for over 10 years. I dedicate my passion on every post in this site.

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