New, Emerging, and Reemerging Respiratory Viruses

Abstract

This chapter focuses on newly discovered, emerging, and reemerging respiratory viruses causing acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs). In the population at large, each person experiences on average two to three ARTIs every year. Furthermore, it is the most frequent reason for emergency department visits and hospital admissions of infants. In the past two decades, several viruses have been described as the cause of human respiratory tract infections for the first time. Among the clinically most significant ones are avian, swine, and pandemic influenza viruses; Hendra and Nipah virus; human metapneumovirus (HMPV); three human coronaviruses (HCoV), including the virus that caused severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS); and human bocavirus (HBoV). The chapter highlights emerging and reemerging human respiratory viruses in relation to climate change that (may) have a great impact on public health. It presents epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and prevention of the above discussed viruses.