Adenoviruses usually cause mild cold- or flu-like illness, but they can also lead to respiratory illnesses such as croup and pneumonia; gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhoea and abdominal pain; and conjunctivitis (pink eye); and bladder and bowel infections. They can affect people of all ages and occur all year round.
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A sore throat may be the first sign of an infection from adenoviruses. Symptoms are common in babies and people with poor immune systems. Washing hands regularly is important, especially after bowel movements. Sharing toys, towels and pillowcases is not recommended.
Most infections from adenoviruses affect the respiratory system. They can cause croup, bronchiolitis or pneumonia. Infections of the gastrointestinal tract are less common and can cause diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain. Infections of the bladder can also occur, causing painful urination and blood in the urine.
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While most adenovirus infections are mild, they can be serious for infants and people with weakened immune systems. They can also cause gastrointestinal symptoms, like diarrhea and vomiting.
Adenoviruses spread in the air through respiratory droplets, such as when someone coughs or sneezes. The virus can also be spread by touching contaminated surfaces or objects, like doorknobs and towels.
To reduce the spread of adenoviruses, wipe surfaces often and avoid sharing cups, utensils or towels with others. Educate children on proper handwashing and staying home when sick to prevent the spread of infection.
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Adenoviruses can cause respiratory symptoms that look a lot like colds or flu. They also can cause a runny nose.
A adenovirus infection can spread when someone coughs or sneezes and drops containing the virus fly into the air. It can also spread by touching an object contaminated with the virus and then putting your hands in your mouth or nose. It can also spread by oral-fecal transmission (like changing a baby’s diaper) or from eating food that contains the virus.
People are most contagious when they have the first few days of symptoms. They can also carry the virus in their tonsils, adenoids, or intestines for weeks or longer without having any symptoms.
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Although adenoviruses can be found in many parts of the body, they spread most commonly through respiratory secretions or through saliva. They can also be transmitted by contact with contaminated surfaces and objects. The virus can survive on surfaces for a long time and is resistant to disinfectants.
People with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for getting seriously ill from the virus. This includes those who spend a lot of time in crowded places like military quarters or hospitals and children. The virus can also spread in contaminated water.
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Adenoviruses can cause diarrhea in infants. Diarrhea due to adenoviruses usually happens after a cold or the flu, but can happen any time of year.
Adenoviruses spread mainly through close personal contact (like sharing toys or towels) or by coughing and sneezing or touching contaminated surfaces. They are especially contagious in the first days of symptoms and for a few weeks after. Children who have a lot of diarrhea and vomiting may need to be treated for dehydration. Adenoviruses can also infect the bladder, causing painful peeing.
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Most adenoviruses infect the airways leading to cold-like symptoms, ear infections, and pneumonia. In immunocompromised patients, adenoviruses can also cause gastrointestinal illnesses like diarrhea, bowel syndrome and bladder infections.
These viruses are spread through close contact, coughing and sneezing, or by touching infected surfaces and stool. Certain types of adenoviruses can also be spread through water. Adenovirus vaccines are available for people with the highest risk of infection – the military and some children. Vaccination is not recommended for the general population. Symptoms of an adenovirus infection can last for weeks.
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Most adenovirus infections are mild and go away on their own. But they can be dangerous if an elderly or immunocompromised person develops complications such as viral pneumonia. Wash your hands frequently and avoid sharing personal items like towels or pillows. Cover your cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, and wash high-touch surfaces often.
Adenoviruses spread through droplets of respiratory or eye secretions. They can also survive for a while on contaminated objects. If your symptoms are severe, especially if you have a fever, call your doctor.
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Children with adenovirus infections often get better on their own and do not need to be hospitalised. They may be swabbed for special tests, but these are usually not needed. Infection due to adenoviruses is more common in babies and young children and can happen at any time of year.
Symptoms are similar to those of a cold and can include sore throat, runny nose, cough, fever and diarrhoea. Adenoviruses also cause problems in the stomach and bowel (gastritis) and bladder (urinary tract infection). They are spread by person-to-person contact via secretions that are coughed or sneezed into the air or onto hands and faces.
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Adenoviruses can cause infections of the respiratory tract (which may include a sore throat or runny nose), digestive tract (which might lead to diarrhea and abdominal pain) and the bladder (which might lead to painful urination and blood in the urine). These symptoms are most common in children under the age of 5, and most kids have had at least one adenovirus infection by the time they’re 10.
People with weakened immune systems, such as people who have had stem cell transplants or organ transplants, are more likely to get seriously ill from an adenovirus. These viruses spread easily through droplets and can survive for hours on objects or hands.
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The symptoms of a viral infection of the central nervous system due to Adenoviruses depend on the specific virus type. The incubation period for CNS infection usually lasts 2-14 days.
Symptoms of rhombencephalitis due to Adenoviruses include hydrocephalus with periventricular radiolucency, multiple parenchymal hypodensities on CT scan and linear high signal intensity on T1 and FLAIR imaging in the brain stem and cerebellum. MRI has been described as showing mass effect with mild patchy enhancement and hypointensity (10,11).
A vaccine for certain types of Adenoviruses is available to the military. There is a remote chance of a serious reaction to the vaccine (hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, fast heartbeat) in some people.