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Glite Dictionary
parainfluenza virus

parainfluenza virus

4.3
A virus that causes infections of the nose and throat, like the common cold, often in young children
  • noun
  • /ˌpɛrəɪnˈfluːənzə ˈvaɪrəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : virus parainfluenza
  • Human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) (family Paramyxoviridae) are major causes of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and elderly persons.
  • human parainfluenza virus
  • parainfluenza virus 3

Examples

  • The parainfluenza virus often leads to cold-like symptoms in young children.

  • The phylogenetic tree clearly established ZMLS/2011 within the lineage of HPIV3 and distinct from other known parainfluenza viruses related to it (Figure 1).

    Academic text (2013)

  • Sample information and results of the molecular and serologic analyses of human parainfluenza virus type 3, Zambia.

    Academic text (2013)

  • Human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3) genome was detected in four baboons in Zambia.

    Academic text (2013)

  • Influenza virus A (n = 2), parainfluenza virus 3 (n = 2), rhinovirus (n = 2), metapneumovirus (n = 1), coronavirus OC43 (n = 1).

    Academic text (2012)

  • Scale bars indicate amino acid substitutions per site. SPIV, simian parainfluenza virus; BPIV, bovine parainfluenza virus.

    Academic text (2013)

  • Scale bars indicate amino acid substitutions per site. SPIV, simian parainfluenza virus; BPIV, bovine parainfluenza virus.

    Academic text (2013)

  • Infections caused by the parainfluenza virus can result in serious respiratory conditions in infants.

  • Doctors advised parents to be cautious as the parainfluenza virus can easily spread among children.

Surface Forms

parainfluenza virus singular
parainfluenza viruses plural

Morphology

parainfluenza + virus

The compound is partially analyzable: knowing 'virus' and recognizing 'influenza' plus the prefix 'para-' (beside/related to) allows a learner to infer it is a virus related to influenza. However 'parainfluenza' is a technical coinage and the precise clinical meaning (specific respiratory infections, age groups, severity) is not fully predictable from the parts, so the transparency is partial.

Etymology

The name parainfluenza virus comes from the parts para- meaning 'near' and influenza meaning 'flu'. That's why parainfluenza virus refers to viruses that cause cold-like and breathing illnesses, especially in children, but are not the real flu.