Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSpreadSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Spread
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Adenoviruses commonly cause cold or flu-like symptoms in humans. Infections tend to be mild and adenoviruses usually don’t require treatment.
Adenoviruses can be transmitted from person to person year-round, in people of all ages. They may cause cold-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, but they can also cause other symptoms such as diarrhea orconjunctivitis(pink eye). In rare cases, they can lead tobronchitisor evenpneumonia.
This article discusses adenoviruses, how they spread, what symptoms they cause, and whether or not they require treatment.
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Types of Adenoviruses
More than 50 different types of adenoviruses have been identified.The Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) categorizes adenoviruses according to those that can cause outbreaks:
While animals also host types of adenoviruses, humans do not usually contract these from animals.
Statistics on the incidence of adenovirus infections are somewhat skewed because these illnesses are not required to be reported to the CDC.
How Adenoviruses Spread
An adenovirus is a very small infectious agent. It can only multiply within the live cells of a host. Adenoviruses are very resilient. They can live for long periods of time outside of the host.
Adenoviruses spread from one infected person to another. These viruses can result in mild illness (such as a respiratory infection), or, less commonly, severe illness (such as meningitis).
People most at risk of getting sick from exposure to an adenovirus are those with a weakened immune system (such as seniors or young children), people with respiratory disorders such as asthma orchronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and those with heart disease.
There are several common ways to become infected with adenovirus:
Adenoviruses are resistant to many types of cleaners and disinfectants and can live on inanimate objects for long periods of time. If there is an adenovirus case in your household or an outbreak in a facility such as a school or nursing home, it’s important to use a disinfectant known to kill adenoviruses, such as a bleach-based solution.
Adenoviruses in Children
Late winter, spring, and early summer are the most common seasons for adenovirus infections, but they can occur anytime during the year. Children can spread adenoviruses in a few different ways:
Adenovirus Symptoms
Adenoviruses can cause various illnesses with a wide range of symptoms.
Common cold and flu symptoms:
Acute bronchitis orbronchiolitis(inflammation of the airways of the lungs, sometimes referred to as a “chest cold”) symptoms:
Pneumonia symptoms:
Conjunctivitis symptoms:
Acute gastritis(inflammation of the stomach or intestines) symptoms:
Symptoms in Children
Adenoviruses commonly cause several types of infections in children, including:
Most commonly, children get respiratory conditions from adenoviruses (such as colds, croup, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia), but occasionally they can get infections of the digestive tract (gastroenteritis).
These common symptoms of adenovirus infections in children may begin two to 14 days after exposure:
If your child has symptoms of an adenovirus infection, consult with your pediatrician or other healthcare provider as soon as possible for a diagnosis.
Rare Symptoms
Less common symptoms of adenovirus infections could include bladder infections or nervous system infections.
Symptoms of abladder infection:
Symptoms of infection of the brain or spinal cord (such asmeningitisandencephalitis):
Usually, the healthcare provider will do an examination, take a history of the current symptoms, and make a diagnosis based on this information. If an adenovirus infection causes a sore throat, it’s common for astrep testto be obtained to rule out other underlying causes of the infection.
Special diagnostic tests can be done to detect and identify specific viruses (including adenoviruses) but these tests are expensive. Because there is currently no proven medical treatment for adenovirus infection, it is often considered a waste of time and expense, in addition to the discomfort of obtaining specimens for diagnostic purposes.
On the other hand, if a person is very ill, the healthcare provider may obtain samples from various regions of the body (such as the eyes, throat, stool, blood, or urine) to identify the presence of adenoviruses.
Respiratory Infections
Anoropharyngeal(throat) specimen may be collected; this involves vigorously swabbing the area around the tonsils and the back of the mouth and throat. The swab is rotated several times.
When a lower respiratory infection (such as viral pneumonia) is suspected, the healthcare provider may ask for a sputum specimen. This involves coughing up some mucus for lab evaluation. A blood specimen could also be ordered to diagnose adenoviruses under some circumstances.
Adenoviral Eye Infections
Specimens for diagnosis of adenoviruses should be collected within seven days of the onset of symptoms.
Adenovirus Treatment
There are no drugs that treat adenovirus, and no specific medical treatment can help clear the infection. Adenovirus can’t be treated with antibiotics since it is a virus and not a bacteria.
Most adenovirus infections aren’t serious and require minimal intervention to relieve symptoms and prevent complications (such as drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration). Most cases of adenovirus go away within a few days to a couple of weeks.
Treatment of Adenovirus Symptoms in Children
There are some things you can do to help your child feel better while preventing serious complications from the infection. These interventions depend on your child’s age, symptoms, and general health.
There is a vaccine for certain types of adenoviruses, but the vaccine is only available to the military. It is not given to the general population because it has not been adequately studied in those with weakened immune systems, infants, children, or people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
There are some common ways to help to prevent getting ill from the virus:
Simple Tips to Prevent Spreading Viruses
Summary
Adenoviruses can cause outbreaks at any time of year. The most common illnesses caused include respiratory illness and viral conjunctivitis.
Adenovirus can cause respiratory symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, or eye-related symptoms. There is no specific treatment for adenovirus. Most cases resolve without medical intervention, but sometimes more serious infections such as pneumonia can develop.
14 Sources
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