What are respiratory viruses?

Respiratory viruses include a large number of common viruses that can cause both upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms. In the same category is the coronavirus known as Covid-19, which is responsible for the biggest pandemic of the ^21st century. The most common respiratory virus is the influenza virus. The flu virus affects the nose, throat and lungs and can lead to serious lung infections such as pneumonia.

Other common types of respiratory viruses include rhinovirus/enterovirus, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus and adenovirus.

How are respiratory viruses transmitted?

Respiratory viruses are transmitted by:

• Direct contact from a person who has the virus through particles that can be spread through coughing or sneezing
• Direct contact with a person who has the virus and particles can remain on objects that infected people have touched, such as tissues and public transport rails, and can spread through the air.

Some of the most common symptoms of the respiratory virus include:

• Pain in muscles and joints
• Cough and spit
• Fever
• Headache
• Runny Nose
• Sneeze
• Sore throat
• Fatigue

Common complications of respiratory viruses include:

• Bronchiolitis – inflammation of small air passages in the lungs
• Inflammation and swelling of the voice box (larynx), trachea and airways (bronchi)
• Pneumonia – lung infection with inflammation
• Sinusitis – infection or inflammation of the sinuses.

Very rare complications include

• Encephalitis – inflammation of the brain
• Meningitis – inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord.

Respiratory viruses tend to be more contagious when you first start to experience symptoms, but you can still be contagious after you recover from the virus.

What tests are available for the diangnosis for respiratory viruses?

If you have symptoms of a respiratory virus, see your doctor for a full diagnosis. Your doctor will do some tests to determine if you have a virus or bacterial infection. In some cases, your doctor may use a swab to take a sample from your nose or throat.

At Startbio through specific molecular detection and special protocols we can determine which respiratory virus you have contracted.

See herethe differences between the respiratory viruses responsible for the flu (Influenza), Covid-19 and the common cold (RSV)

At Startbio we apply specific molecular detection protocols for respiratory viruses. In these protocols the virus is separated and identified for the patient. The packages offered by Startbio are the following: