Other Viral Pneumonias: Coronavirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Adenovirus, Hantavirus

Severe viral pneumonia is an increasing problem among adults. The incidence and number of viruses known to cause pneumonia and respiratory failure have also expanded in recent years. This article provides an overview of severe respiratory disease caused by coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, and hantavirus. These emerging pathogens are easily overlooked and timely diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion and confirmation by molecular testing. Management of individual cases is mainly supportive and requires institution of appropriate infection control measures. Vaccines and effective therapeutics for these potentially devastating respiratory viruses are urgently required.