Scientists develop better way to block viruses causing respiratory infections in children ANI | Updated: May 11, 2021 11:29 IST Washington [US], May 11 (ANI): Researchers have improved a method in rodent models intended to help keep children healthy by engineering a short chunk of protein, or peptide, that can prevent the attachment of human parainfluenza viruses to cells. Human parainfluenza viruses, or HPIVs, are the leading cause of childhood respiratory infections, responsible for 30 per cent to 40 per cent of illnesses like croup and pneumonia. The viruses also affect the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. The researchers published their findings in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.