Medical Care

Acute respiratory illness due to bocavirus should be managed in a manner similar to most other viral respiratory infections.

No antiviral medication is known to affect human bocavirus, and none has been proven to be of any clinical benefit.
Symptomatic care is the mainstay of treatment.
Supplemental oxygen may be required for serious infections that lead to pneumonia.
Wheezing may be treated with bronchodilators. However, for wheezing episodes due to bronchiolitis in patients with respiratory syncytial virus infection, bronchodilators are of minimal benefit. The same may be true for human bocavirus; however, a therapeutic trial should probably be considered if the patient is in respiratory distress.

Acute gastroenteritis due to HBoV2 should be managed as with other viral gastrointestinal infections.

Replacement of fluid losses, both acute and ongoing
Management of any electrolyte disturbances, such as sodium or potassium

Medication

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Media Gallery

The genome of human bocavirus. The 4 genes are labeled based on their presumed function, according to homologous genes in other parvoviruses. Nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) is a DNA-binding protein involved in gene transcription. NP1 is also nonstructural and is a highly conserved protein of unknown function. The capsid proteins are viral protein 1 (VP1) and viral protein 2 (VP2).
An electron micrograph of canine parvovirus, which is closely related to human bocavirus.

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Author

Nicholas John Bennett, MBBCh, PhD, FAAP, MA(Cantab) Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Co-Director of Antimicrobial Stewardship, Medical Director, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Connecticut Children's Medical Center

Nicholas John Bennett, MBBCh, PhD, FAAP, MA(Cantab) is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics

Disclosure: Received research grant from: Cubist<br/>Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Horizon Pharmaceuticals, Shire<br/>Medico legal consulting for: Various.

Coauthor(s)

Joseph Domachowske, MD Professor of Pediatrics, Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Upstate Medical University

Joseph Domachowske, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Received research grant from: Pfizer;GlaxoSmithKline;AstraZeneca;Merck;American Academy of Pediatrics, Novavax, Regeneron, Diassess, Actelion<br/>Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Sanofi Pasteur.

Specialty Editor Board

Mary L Windle, PharmD Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Russell W Steele, MD Clinical Professor, Tulane University School of Medicine; Staff Physician, Ochsner Clinic Foundation

Russell W Steele, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Immunologists, American Pediatric Society, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Louisiana State Medical Society, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Society for Pediatric Research, Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pediatric Bocavirus Treatment & Management

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