| Viral respiratory infection (VRI) | 783.000000000000 | Viral respiratory infection (VRI) | Viral respiratory infection (VRI) | V | English | Respiratory | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Trachea;Lungs | Trachea;Lungs | Conditions and diseases | Caregivers
Adult (19+) | Cough;Fever;Runny nose;Sneezing;Sore throat;Vomiting | | 2009-11-10T05:00:00Z | | | | | | 6.90000000000000 | 66.2000000000000 | 873.000000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>Viral respiratory infection (VRI) is a general term for lung and airway infections. Read about different viruses that can cause VRI and treatment options.<br></p> | <h2>What is a viral respiratory infection (VRI)?</h2><p>Viral respiratory infections (VRIs) include colds, the flu and bronchiolitis.</p><p>Respiratory means something that affects the lungs and airways (breathing passages). VRIs may cause coughing, sneezing, runny noses, sore throats or fever. </p><p>Viral means something that is caused by a virus. Viruses that cause VRIs include respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV), influenza viruses, parainfluenza viruses, adenoviruses and rhinoviruses. Rhinoviruses are the viruses that cause the common cold.</p><p>VRIs are not caused by any of the following things, although the symptoms may be similar:</p><ul><li>bacteria, such as group A streptococcus (Strep) or pertussis </li><li>medicines </li><li>other medical conditions. </li></ul>
<figure class="asset-c-80">
<span class="asset-image-title">Respiratory system</span>
<img src="https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/akhassets/Respiratory_system_MED_ILL_EN.jpg" alt="Location of the lungs, trachea, bronchus, bronchioles and diaphragm in a boy, with close-up on bronchioles and alveoli" />
</figure> | | <h2>Key points</h2><ul><li>Viral respiratory infection (VRI) is a name for several types of infections of the lungs and airways. </li><li>VRIs are caused by different viruses. </li><li>VRIs spread through contact with mucus from the mouth or nose. </li><li>VRI can be a serious illness for people who are already ill or weakened in some other way. </li><li>Good hygiene practices, including handwashing, and covering the mouth and nose when coughing, can help prevent the spread of VRI.<br></li></ul> | | <h2>Symptoms of a viral respiratory infection</h2><p>A person with a VRI may have the following symptoms:</p><ul><li><a href="https://akhpub.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=774&language=English">coughing</a></li><li>sneezing </li><li>runny nose </li><li>
<a href="https://akhpub.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=748&language=English">sore throat</a></li><li>
<a href="https://akhpub.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=30&language=English">fever</a><br></li><li>trouble breathing.</li></ul><p>The person may also have a <a href="/Article?contentid=29&language=English">headache</a> or sore muscles, or they may feel very tired.</p><p>In general, the symptoms start one to two days after the person catches the virus. They may last for one to 10 days, depending on which virus is causing the illness. </p> | <h2>Anyone can get a viral respiratory infection</h2>
<p>People of all ages and backgrounds can get a VRI. Babies and toddlers tend to get RSV more often. This can cause a condition called bronchiolitis. </p>
<h2>A viral respiratory infection can be a serious illness for some people</h2>
<p>For most people, a VRI is not a serious illness. People who get a VRI almost always get completely well. They do not have any long-term problems. </p>
<p>For some people, though, a VRI can be a serious illness. People who are more at risk from a VRI include the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>babies </li>
<li>young children </li>
<li>people with an immune system problem </li>
<li>people who cannot care for themselves well, such as the disabled or elderly </li>
</ul>
<p>These people may develop more serious complications, like pneumonia. They may get more severe symptoms than healthy people. People with severe symptoms may need to stay in the hospital for treatment to help with their breathing. </p> | <h2>How a viral respiratory infection is spread</h2>
<p>VRIs are spread by touching:</p>
<ul>
<li>mucus from the nose or mouth of a person who has the virus</li>
<li>soiled tissues or surfaces a person with the virus has touched </li>
<li>the unwashed hands of a person with the virus.<br></li>
</ul> | | <h2>Treating a viral respiratory infection</h2><p>To treat a VRI in children and adults:</p><ul><li>make sure the person gets plenty of rest<br></li><li>give the person lots of clear fluids to drink, such as water and apple juice. This will help make sure they do not get <a href="https://akhpub.aboutkidshealth.ca/article?contentid=776&language=English">dehydrated</a>. In the hospital, a person can be given fluids directly into the blood through an intravenous line (IV) if necessary. </li></ul><p>A doctor may prescribe medicine to help the infected person breathe more easily. The doctor will probably not prescribe antibiotics. Because VRIs are caused by viruses, antibiotics usually will not help. </p><h2>If your child has a viral respiratory infection in the hospital</h2><p>Your child may be placed in a single room and will not be able to visit the playroom until they are feeling better. Ask the Child Life Specialist to bring toys and supplies to your room.</p><p>Hospital staff will be wearing a mask, eye protection, gloves and gowns when they visit. Always wash your hands before and after touching your child and before leaving your child's room. Hospital staff should wash their hands as well. </p><p>If you or anyone else who has visited becomes ill with symptoms of a viral respiratory infection, let your child's doctor or nurse know.</p> | | | <h2>Viral respiratory infections can be prevented with good hygiene and sometimes shots</h2>
<p>Good handwashing can help people from catching or spreading a VRI. This is very important in hospitals, but it is true in other places as well. </p>
<p>To avoid spreading a VRI, you should also do the following things:</p>
<ul>
<li>Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the tissue. Then wash your hands. </li>
<li>Do not visit the hospital when you are ill with symptoms of a VRI. Ask other family members and friends to do the same. </li>
</ul>
<h3>RSV shots</h3>
<p>Some premature or sick babies are at high risk from <a href="https://akhpub.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=764&language=English">RSV</a>. They can take a medicine that can help make the symptoms of RSV infection shorter and less severe. </p>
<h3>Flu shots</h3>
<p>Every autumn, the flu shot is offered as a way to prevent <a href="https://akhpub.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=763&language=English">influenza (flu)</a> infection. Getting a flu shot is easy. It should help make sure you and your child do not catch the flu that year. Ask your doctor if your child can have the flu shot. </p>
<p>The flu shot can prevent flu, but not infections from other respiratory viruses.<br></p>
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