Common Respiratory Viruses and Pulmonary Mucosal Immunology

Abstract

tory epithelium. In most cases, viral infection is limited to the upper airways; however, infections of the lower airway regions occur in a significant number of infected individuals. Worldwide, approximately 90% of the cases of the "common cold" are caused by viruses and most are seen in the winter months. These viruses are spread from person to person and commonly during hand-to-hand contact. This chapter focuses on the common viral causes of respiratory tract infections: adenovirus, coronavirus including severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV), influenza virus, rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (Table 6.1). This chapter describes the pathogen, epidemiology, clinical syndromes, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of each virus.