-Virus - Adenoviruses

How serious is adenovirus?

Adenoviruses can cause mild to severe illness, though serious illness is less common. People with weakened immune systems, or existing respiratory or cardiac disease, are at higher risk of developing severe illness from an adenovirus infection.

Adenoviruses are a group of viruses that typically cause respiratory illnesses, such as a common cold, conjunctivitis (an infection in the eye that is sometimes called pink eye), croup, bronchitis, or pneumonia.

Symptoms

Adenoviruses can cause mild to severe illness, though serious illness is less common. People with weakened immune systems, or existing respiratory or cardiac disease, are at higher risk of developing severe illness from an adenovirus infection.

Adenoviruses can cause a wide range of illnesses such as

• common cold or flu-like symptoms
• fever
• sore throat
• acute bronchitis (inflammation of the airways of the lungs, sometimes called a “chest cold”)
• pneumonia (infection of the lungs)
• pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• acute gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach or intestines causing diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain)

Less common symptoms of adenovirus infection include

• bladder inflammation or infection
• neurologic disease (conditions that affect the brain and spinal cord)

Transmission

Adenoviruses are usually spread from an infected person to others through

• close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
• the air by coughing and sneezing
• touching an object or surface with adenoviruses on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands
• Some adenoviruses can spread through an infected person’s stool, for example, during diaper changing. Adenovirus can also spread through the water, such as swimming pools, but this is less common.    

Length of Transmission

Sometimes the virus can be shed (released from the body) for a long time after a person recovers from an adenovirus infection, especially among people who have weakened immune systems. This “virus shedding” usually occurs without any symptoms, even though the person can still spread adenovirus to other people.

Prevention

You can protect yourself and others from adenoviruses and other respiratory illnesses by following a few simple steps:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (see CDC’s Clean Hands Save Lives! ).
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

If you’re sick you can help protect others:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands.
• Avoid sharing cups and eating utensils with others.
• Refrain from kissing others.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom.

Frequent handwashing is especially important in childcare settings and healthcare facilities.

Treatment

There are no approved antiviral medicines and no specific treatment for people with adenovirus infection. Most adenovirus infections are mild and may be managed with rest and over-the-counter pain medicines or fever reducers to help relieve symptoms. Always read the label and use medications as directed.

If you have concerns, you should speak with your healthcare provider.

ASHOK KUMAR PATUR