What's a "terainfluenza"?

[10in2010]

Do we have any doctors or students of medicine in here who can tell me what a "Terainfluenza" (sp?) is? My boyfriend's been homebound all week and his doctor diagnosed him with this thing. I'm worried about him. What's a terainfluenza? It's not the real flu, is it?

[DiscordantNote]

Considering that 'influenza' is in the word, it probably is the flu or a variation of it.

EDIT: Also, 'tera' means 'four', which means something about the virus is related to the number four. I wouldn't know how much of a difference it would make, I'm no expert on medical/biological science, I'm afraid.

Last edited by DiscordantNote on Wed Nov 10, 2004 10:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[DM was on fire!]

Sounds like a BAD case of the flu.

[Asthaloth]

dont qoute me on this (famous last words)
but i think its somthing like a multiplied varitation on the flu.
poor explaining here, basicly each virie, is made up of four normal flu virie.
so basicly a VERY bad case of the flu, i just hope he has a strong immune system (im apparantly icredibly resitant to about everything, because i rarely get a true illness, but when i do im bed-ridden for days)

[10in2010]

I think they gave him an antibiotic and some sort of experimental whatsit (I didn't hear what because I was too busy threatening to shoot the doctors who prescribed it if it messes him up any). Regardless, he is too tired to leave his bed. Also he has gone through ten cans of Pepsi in two days. He doesn't want to drink water because it tastes like mucus right now. That is all I know.

[DiscordantNote]

I believe what Setekh said is probably it, meaning that it is really bad.

I tried several search engines and online dictionaries to see what it is, and came up with nothing.

[10in2010]

It could very well be that I spelt it wrong. I was just spelling it based on what he said, and his voice didn't sound so good so I might've messed up the spelling. Regardless of my ability to spell, thanks for helping me out.

[Twinkle]

Aww it sounds like he's rough. Hope he gets better soon!

[DiscordantNote]

No problem. I'll keep this topic open in case anyone can find a solid definition of it.

Encourage him to drink the water, no matter how bad it tatses. It's a lot better for him than soda, especially if he's drinking that much soda.

[hyperflutterby]

gatorade or juice might be a better alternative if he doesn't like the taste of water

[Kitten Medli]

I don't know what it is, but I hope he gets better.

[shapu]

I think you're thinking parainfluenza, which is a specific viral disease that causes symptoms like bronchitis and lower respiratory tract infections. Pneumonia is often a secondary symptom of the disease.

There is no treatment for parainfluenza - it'll clear up on its own, and (morbid though it may sound) there is an extremely low death rate among otherwise healthy adults.

The treatments that your boyfriend is getting are antibiotics to prevent bacterial infection - when someone gets one disease, their immune system starts to freak out, and leaves the body open to other infections. He'll probably also be getting a corticosteroid like hydrocortizone to reduce the inflammation of his air passages.

All in all, he'll feel like crap for a couple of weeks, but he'll be fine, assuming he's otherwise healthy.

EDIT: Also, get him to ask his doctor about maybe getting an air humidifier. That's generally recommended, since pneumonia and bronchitis can both really dry out the body.

[10in2010]

Thanks for all the advice. I thought that being sick with the flu and missing a week of school consecutively was enough to keep him at home instead of going up to North Carolina (we live in Georgia) and touring some stupid college he doesn't want to go to, but apparently I--as well as everyone who wished him feel better--am the only one who cares about what he thinks.

Oh well, he's the eldest son, and they always get pushed too hard anyway! Plus I'm just his measly girlfriend OF ONE YEAR, what do I count for?!

EDIT: This event was why I was asking how bad the parainfluenza is--I wanted to know just how long he would be sick and how bad it would be. Thanks for trying to convince his parents anyway, guys.

[-Ducky-]

Parainfluenza viruses cause upper and lower respiratory infections.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

There are four types of Parainfluenza virus, all of which can cause upper respiratory infections or lower respiratory infections (pneumonia) in adults and children. The virus is especially important in children because it is responsible for approximately 40-50% of croup cases and 10-15% of bronchiolitis and bronchitis cases and some pneumonias.

The exact number of cases of parainfluenza is unknown but suspected to be very high. Sometimes the viruses cause only a runny nose and other symptoms that may be diagnosed as a simple cold rather than parainfluenza.

Risk factors for parainfluenza include young age. By school age, most children have been exposed to parainfluenza virus. Most adults have antibodies against parainfluenza although they can get repeat infections.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the type of infection. Cold-like symptoms consisting of a runny nose and mild cough are common. Life-threatening respiratory symptoms can be seen in young infants with bronchiolitis. For detailed symptoms see the specific disease.

There is no specific treatment for the viral infection. Specific treatments are available for the symptoms of croup and bronchiolitis.
Expectations (prognosis)

Most infections in adults and older children are mild and recovery takes place without treatment, unless the person is very old or has an abnormal immune system. Medical intervention may be necessary if breathing difficulties develop.
Complications

Secondary bacterial infections are the most common complication. Airway obstruction in croup and bronchiolitis can be severe, even life-threatening.
Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if your child develops croup, wheezing or any other type of breathing difficulty. You may wish to call your health care provider for children under 18 months of age with any type of upper respiratory symptoms.
Prevention

There are no vaccines available for parainfluenza. Infections are most common in fall and winter. Avoiding crowds to limit exposure during peak outbreaks may decrease the likelihood of infection.

Parainfluenza infections are most severe in infants and become less severe with age. Limiting exposure, such as occurs in day-care centers and full nurseries, may delay infection until the child is older.


Update Date: 11/18/2003

Updated by: D. Scott Smith, MD, MSc, DTM&H, Infectious Diseases Division and Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

[gundam_kola01]

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Oh well, ask him to have alots of water and enough of sleep of 8hours.
Also supplements like vitamins C and E.

All these can help u to reduce your chance of being sick.