Respiratory Viral Infections

The respiratory tract can be infected by a diverse group of viruses that produce syndromes ranging in severity from mild colds to fulminant pneumonias. Respiratory viral infections are a leading cause of morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality throughout the world; influenza and pneumonia were the most prevalent infectious causes of death during the 20th century in the United States. This review contains 8 figures, 26 tables and 87 references. Keywords: Virus, infection, respiratory tract, antiviral, pneumonia, croup, pharyngitis, epidemic, pandemic, outbreak