What are adenovirus infections? |

Definition

Adenovirus infections are highly contagious infections
caused by a virus. The infections can happen in the respiratory tract, the eyes,
the intestines, and the urinary tract.

Causes

Adenoviruses, which often are the cause of the common cold,
also cause a number of other types of infections. Adenoviruses can be spread
through exposure to a sneeze or cough of an infected person, exposure to fecal
contamination (for example, water supplies and poor hygiene), eating food
contaminated by houseflies, person-to-person contact, handling an object that was
exposed to an infected person, and swimming in contaminated lakes and pools.

Risk Factors

Children, especially young children, are at special risk of developing an adenovirus infection.

Symptoms

Symptoms of adenovirus infection depend on where the infection occurs and may
include fever, flulike symptoms, sore throat, runny nose, cough, swollen lymph
nodes, middle-ear infection, lower respiratory problems, diarrhea, vomiting,
headache, abdominal cramps, frequent urination, conjunctivitis, red eyes, keratoconjunctivitis (corneal
inflammation), and burning, pain, or blood in the urine.

Screening and Diagnosis

Depending on the type of infection that is suspected, samples may be taken from the patient and then sent to a lab. The samples may be mucus, stool, blood, or urine.

Treatment and Therapy

Treatment options include the management of symptoms. The infection will
usually end on its own. Steps that might help relieve these symptoms include
getting extra rest, drinking increased amounts of fluids, using a humidifier, and
taking acetaminophen or other over-the-counter medications. For
conjunctivitis, the doctor might recommend using warm compresses, or the doctor
could recommend eye ointments or drops. For severe diarrhea or vomiting, fluids
may need to be given by IV. This will prevent dehydration.

A compromised or weak immune system can lead to a more serious infection. In this case, a doctor may need to administer certain medicines.

Prevention and Outcomes

The best way to prevent adenovirus infection is to avoid contact with infected persons; to practice good hygiene, including frequent handwashing and cleaning of surfaces (such as toys and counter tops); and to keep swimming pools adequately chlorinated, which will help prevent outbreaks of adenovirus infection associated with swimming pools.

Bibliography

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Adenoviruses.” Available at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/respiratory/eadfeat.htm.

Foy, H. M. “Adenoviruses.” In Viral Infections in Humans: Epidemiology and Control, edited by A. Evans and R. Kaslow. 4th ed. New York: Plenum, 1997.

Gray, G. C. “Adenovirus Transmission Worthy of Our Attention.” Journal of Infectious Diseases 194 (July, 2006): 871-873.

Horwitz, M. S. “Adenoviruses.” In Fields’ Virology, edited by David M. Knipe and Peter M. Howley. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2007.

Nemours Foundation. “Infections: Adenovirus.” Available at http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/lung/adenovirus.html.

Pickering, Larry K., et al., eds. Red Book: 2009 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 28th ed. Elk Grove Village, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatrics, 2009.