parainfluenza

noun

para·​in·​flu·​en·​za ˌper-ə-ˌin-flü-ˈen-zə How to pronounce parainfluenza (audio)
ˌpa-rə-
: parainfluenza virus
also : a respiratory illness caused by a parainfluenza virus

Examples of parainfluenza in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There is no vaccine or antiviral that treats parainfluenza. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 Human parainfluenza viruses, or parainfluenza, has also peaked a few times this season, Wolfe said. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 In some cases, parainfluenza can cause more severe diseases, including croup, bronchitis and pneumonia. Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 Staff noticed that the North Dakota resident had low oxygen levels and he was quickly admitted to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with parainfluenza that spiraled into pneumonia. Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 25 Jan. 2024 The flu is only caused by influenza viruses, while the common cold can be caused by several different viruses, such as rhinoviruses, parainfluenza, and even some coronaviruses (not COVID-19) that are around during certain seasons. Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 16 Nov. 2023 Before the pandemic, Popescu said, travel was a common way people got infected with viruses like the flu, parainfluenza (which can lead to croup or pneumonia), and a cold-like sickness called RSV that can be dangerous to the very young and the very old. Rachel Gutman, The Atlantic, 24 June 2021 Cases of neurological complications, including seizures, were elevated when compared to influenza and parainfluenza. Erin Prater, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2022 Sporadic epidemiologic reports have documented how waves of influenza seemed to crowd out RSV, parainfluenza, and other respiratory viruses. Byjon Cohen, science.org, 18 Nov. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parainfluenza was in 1959

Dictionary Entries Near parainfluenza

Cite this Entry

“Parainfluenza.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parainfluenza. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!