What are the symptoms of adenovirus and how does it spread?

摘要

Educational blog on adenovirus, one of the most common causes of viral infections, explaining that most people have at least one adenovirus infection before age 10.

詳細內容

Adenovirus might not be a household name like flu or the common cold, but it’s one of the most common causes of viral infections. Most people will have had at least one adenovirus infection before they turn 10, and because there are many different types of adenovirus, people can be infected multiple times throughout their lives.

What is adenovirus?

Large family of viruses (over 50 types affecting humans)
Can infect different parts of the body
Usually causes mild illness in healthy people
Can cause more serious disease in young children, immunocompromised individuals
Common year-round, with slight peaks in winter and spring

Types of infections caused:

Respiratory infections (most common):

Common cold symptoms
Bronchitis
Pneumonia (in severe cases)
Croup-like symptoms in young children

Gastroenteritis:

Diarrhea and vomiting
Common in young children
Can lead to dehydration

Eye infections:

Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Can be very contagious in group settings

Other infections:

Bladder infections (rare)
Neurological infections (very rare)

Common symptoms by infection type:

Respiratory adenovirus:

Runny nose, sore throat
Cough
Fever
Swollen lymph nodes
Symptoms similar to common cold or flu

Gastroenteritis adenovirus:

Diarrhea
Vomiting
Stomach pain
Fever
Usually lasts 1-2 weeks

Adenoviral conjunctivitis:

Red, watery eyes
Feeling like something in eye
Light sensitivity
Discharge from eyes
Can affect one or both eyes

How adenovirus spreads:

Respiratory transmission:

Droplets from coughing or sneezing
Close personal contact
Touching contaminated surfaces then touching face

Fecal-oral transmission:

Poor hand hygiene after using toilet
Changing diapers
Contaminated food or water

Contact transmission:

Touching contaminated surfaces
Swimming pools (some types survive in chlorinated water)
Shared towels or personal items

Why so common in children:

Frequent close contact in childcare/school settings
Developing hand hygiene skills
No immunity to many adenovirus types yet
Mouthing objects and toys

Treatment:

No specific antiviral treatment
Supportive care: Rest, fluids, fever reducers (paracetamol/ibuprofen)
Most infections resolve on their own in 5-10 days
Severe cases (particularly in immunocompromised) may need hospital care

Prevention:

Key prevention measures:

Frequent handwashing: Most important prevention step
Avoid touching face: Eyes, nose, mouth
Cover coughs/sneezes: Tissue or elbow
Stay home when ill: Prevent spread to others
Don’t share personal items: Towels, utensils, cups
Clean surfaces: Regular disinfection of frequently touched surfaces
Avoid swimming pools when ill: Especially with gastroenteritis

When to seek medical care:

High fever not responding to medication
Difficulty breathing
Severe dehydration (no wet diapers for 8+ hours, very dry mouth)
Symptoms lasting more than 10 days
Severe headache or stiff neck
Worsening symptoms after initial improvement

Special considerations:

Immunocompromised: Higher risk of severe disease
Infants: Higher risk of serious respiratory infection
Group settings: Can spread rapidly in childcare, schools, hospitals

Immunity: Infection with one type of adenovirus provides immunity to that specific type, but not to other types. This is why people can have multiple adenovirus infections throughout life.

Important message: While adenovirus infections are very common and usually mild, practicing good hygiene significantly reduces transmission. Most children and adults recover fully without complications. Awareness of symptoms helps parents and caregivers provide appropriate care and know when medical attention is needed.

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