Doctor's Notes on Adenovirus
Adenoviruses can cause a wide range of infectious problems. The viruses can infect humans of any age. Signs and symptoms of adenovirus infections may include
- the common cold,
- sore throat,
- bronchitis,
- pneumonia,
- diarrhea,
- conjunctivitis,
- fever,
- inflammation the stomach and intestines,
- bladder inflammation, and
- neurological disease.
Although many infections are mild, some may have severe infections. Individuals with weakened immune systems or respiratory or cardiac disease are at an increased risk for more severe infections.
The cause of adenovirus infections is usually person to person through close personal contact (touch, shaking hands), coughing, sneezing, diaper changing, and touching items that have been used by an infected person. The virus has occasionally been documented to spread in water such as swimming pools.
What Are the Treatments for Adenovirus Infections?
Most adenovirus infections are mild and symptoms may be treated by over-the-counter fever and/or pain-reducing medicines (you need to read the instructions and/or precautions). Prevention is the key. Using good hand-washing techniques and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth helps along with avoiding those who are sick. There are no approved antivirals or vaccines for the public to use. However, there is a vaccine against adenoviruses types 4 and 7 that may be available to military personnel serving in endemic regions, but this vaccine is not approved for non-military use.
Stomach Pain : Nausea & Other Causes Quiz
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Acute Bronchitis
Bronchitis is a disease of the respiratory system in which the bronchial passages become inflamed. There are two types of bronchitis, acute and chronic. Symptoms of acute bronchitis include frequent cough with mucus, lack of energy, wheezing, and possible fever. Treatment may require medication such as bronchial inhalers and predinsone. Supportive treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms with fever reducers, cough suppressants, and rest. Treatment may be more aggressive in patients with pre-existing conditions such as emphysema, COPD, or cigarette smoking. -
Common Cold
The cold is the most commonly occurring illness in the entire world, with more than 1 billion colds per year reported in the United States alone. Symptoms and signs include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, sneezing, and runny nose. Treatment involves drinking plenty of fluids and taking cough, fever, and pain medications. -
Diarrhea
Diarrhea can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, parasites, intestinal diseases or conditions, reactions to medications, and food intolerance or allergies. Symptoms of diarrhea include watery stools, abdominal cramping, fever, and dehydration. Most cases of diarrhea can be treated at home. In some cases (in the elderly, small children, or those with severe or chronic medical conditions) may need to be hospitalized due to dehydration. -
Fever in Adults
A fever is a body temperature of 100.4 F or greater. A fever may be caused by a virus, bacteria, fungus, blood clot, tumor, drug, or the environment. Treatment of fever in adults usually involves ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin. -
Fever in Children
What are causes, symptoms, and treatment (acetaminophen) of fever in children? Learn when to worry, when a high fever is an emergency, and how to take a rectal temperature. -
Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis)
Pinkeye (conjunctivitis) refers to a condition that makes the whites of the eyes look pink or red. Causes include colds, allergies, bacteria, fungus, parasites, and eye medications or cosmetics. Less commonly, autoimmune conditions and other rare conditions may be the cause. Pinkeye tends to resolve within five to 10 days. Bacterial conjunctivitis is treated with antibiotics. Hand washing and good hygiene can help prevent conjunctivitis. -
Sore Throat
Sore throats are generally named for the anatomical site affected, such as: the pharynx, tonsils, adenoids, larynx, and epiglottis. Sore throat treatment depends on the cause, infection, viral, or fungal.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.