parainfluenza

American  

[par-uh-in-floo-en-zuh] / ˌpær əˌɪn fluˈɛn zə /

noun

Pathology, Veterinary Pathology.

1. an influenzalike respiratory infection of animals and humans, caused by any of several paramyxoviruses.

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Etymology

Origin of parainfluenza

First recorded in 1955–60; para- ¹ + influenza

Compare meaning

How does parainfluenza compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• parainfluenza vs. influenza

Example Sentences

At UC San Francisco, other viral illnesses, including MPV — also known as metapneumovirus — and parainfluenza are rising.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 28, 2022

Sporadic epidemiologic reports have documented how waves of influenza seemed to crowd out RSV, parainfluenza, and other respiratory viruses.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 17, 2022

They had adenovirus and rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus, influenza and parainfluenza, as well as the coronavirus — which many specialists say is to blame for the unusual surges.

From Washington Post • Jun. 13, 2022

Croup is typically triggered by infection with a virus such as parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus—and now, it appears, SARS-CoV-2.

From Scientific American • Feb. 3, 2022

It is also related to certain pneumonia viruses: to the parainfluenza virus, which causes colds in children, and to the respiratory syncytial virus, which can cause fatal pneumonia in a person who has aids.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston