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Transmission

Boy sneezingHuman parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) usually spread from an infected person to others through—

  • the air by coughing and sneezing,
  • close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands, and
  • touching objects or surfaces that have HPIVs on them then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

HPIVs can stay in the air for over an hour and on surfaces for a few hours and still infect people depending on the environmental conditions.

People usually get HPIV infections in the spring, summer, and fall. For more information, see HPIV Seasons.

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