Adenovirus Infection - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Adenovirus infections most commonly cause illness of the respiratory system however, depending on the infecting serotype, they may also cause various other illnesses, such as gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, cystitis , and rash illness. In children, adenoviruses usually cause infections in the respiratory tract and intestinal tract. Adenovirus respiratory diseases include a form of the common cold, pneumonia, croup, and bronchitis. Patients with compromised immune systems are especially susceptible to severe complications of adenovirus infection. Acute respiratory disease (ARD), a disorder first recognized among military recruits during World War II, can be caused by adenovirus infections under conditions of crowding and stress. Recently, several adenoviruses, especially adenovirus 36 ( AD-36 ), have been shown to cause obesity in animals, and are associated with human obesity.

About 47 different types have been identified since then, and about half of them are believed to cause human diseases. Adenoviruses are responsible for about 3-5% of acute respiratory infections in children and 2% of respiratory illnesses in civilian adults. They are very common among military recruits and other young people who live in institutional environments. Outbreaks among children are frequently reported at boarding schools and summer camps. The majority of the population will have experienced at least one adenoviral infection by age 10. Although adenoviral infection in children can occur at any age, most take place in the first years of life. Since there are many different types of adenovirus, repeated adenoviral infections can occur.

Causes of Adenovirus Infection

There are various factors which give rise to the diseaseAdenovirus Infection , but here we mentioned some of the common causes:

• Inhaling airborne viruses.
• Getting the virus in the eyes by swimming in contaminated water.
• Not washing the hands after using the bathroom, and then touching the mouth or eyes.

Symptoms of Adenovirus Infection

Some of the common sign and symptoms of the disease Adenovirus Infection are as follows:

• Fever.
• Runny nose.
• Watery Eyes.
• Sore throat.
• Cough.
• Headache.
• Vomiting.
• Abdominal tenderness.
• Severe cough.
• Swollen lymph nodes.

Treatment of Adenovirus Infection

Find effective treatment methods of treating Adenovirus Infection :

• Adenoviral illnesses often resemble certain bacterial infections. In most cases, a child's body will get rid over time. Because antibiotics are of no use in treating a viral infection.
• To kill the bacteria, large doses of penicillin may be given through a vein daily for two to six weeks followed by six to twelve months of penicillin taken by mouth.
• Alternative antibiotics, such as tetracyclines, macrolides, or clindamycin, may be used in patients, who cannot take penicillin.
• Intravenous ribavirin is a potential treatment of adenovirus. Adenovirus infection results in long-lasting immunity against the specific serotype.
• Supportive treatment includes bed rest, antipyretics, and analgesics.