About bocavirus infection

What is bocavirus infection?

Bocavirus is a virus that causes the common cold and other respiratory infections. Cold, fever, runny nose, and cough are the most common symptoms. It can also cause gastroenteritis, or stomach flu, which can cause severe stomach and intestine irritation and inflammation. Human bocavirus has been detected all over the world. The most common are paediatric cases. The bocavirus is frequently found in conjunction with other respiratory viruses. Typically, the symptoms appear in very young children aged 6 to 24 months. Adults may be affected by the disease, but symptoms are either non-existent or mild.

What are the symptoms for bocavirus infection?

Bocavirus symptoms are typically visible in very young children aged 6 to 24 months. Adults may be affected by the disease, but symptoms are either non-existent or mild. Cold, fever, runny nose, and Cough are the most common symptoms. It can also cause gastroenteritis, which is a stomach Flu characterised by irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines. In the case of gastroenteritis, the patient may experience diahorrea. Some patients also experience Wheezing and bronchiolitis, which can progress to pneumonia. If the disease is severe, symptoms may include Shortness of breath and lungs wheezing. Blue lips are also possible when there is a lack of oxygen. The symptoms are common with other respiratory viruses, and the virus may go undetected in most cases because the symptoms are asymptomatic in many cases. As a result, the virus does not have access to the correct data.

What are the causes for bocavirus infection?

Most bocavirus are caused by the genome sequence HBoV1 of the bocavirus. The transmission occurs like other respiratory viruses, i.e. via respiratory secretions from a person’s nose, mouth or throat. 

What are the treatments for bocavirus infection?

If the disease is detected, seek medical attention because it cannot be treated at home. There is no known medical or antiviral treatment that is effective against bocavirus strains. Because it is unknown whether bocavirus causes infections or disease alone or in combination with other viruses, some experts argue that there should be no treatment for bocavirus due to a lack of evidence. Others believe that because bocavirus strains are typically associated with people suffering from respiratory or gastrointestinal issues, treatment options should be investigated. Because no anti-bocavirus treatments are currently available, the only treatments that can alleviate symptoms are oxygen, respiratory support, and hydration.

What are the risk factors for bocavirus infection?

If you live in an area where fungal spores are abundant, you are at a higher risk of contracting the disease. Because fungal spores are abundant in damp forests, if you work as a hunter, forest worker, camper, or farmer, you may be at a higher risk of contracting the disease. Furthermore, the disease is not contagious. Although the most common symptom of the disease is the flu, the symptoms of blastomycosis usually last longer and are more severe than the flu. If the infection spreads through the blood, you may also notice skin or bone lesions.

Is there a cure/medications for bocavirus infection?

The most commonly used treatment is itraconazole (Sporanox). The drug alone may be sufficient to treat patients with mild to moderate blastomycosis. If you have a severe disease, you can take amphotericin B. For critically ill patients, a combination of the two drugs could be used.

Video related to bocavirus infection