Adenovirus: Clinical Overview: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prevention, Treatment
This virus has been on
the rise in India, especially in West Bengal. A new strain of Adenovirus has
led to thousands of hospitalizations in India, with at least 40
children dying from the viral disease in the West Bengal state alone.
Children with low immunity
during seasonal flu or those who usually suffer from respiratory infections
throughout the year are most vulnerable to this new Adenovirus strain and are
at high risk for developing severe illnesses caused by adenovirus infection.
Adenoviruses most commonly
cause respiratory illness. The illnesses can range from the common cold to
pneumonia, croup, and bronchitis. Depending on the type, adenoviruses can cause
other illnesses such as gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, cystitis, and, less
commonly, neurological disease.
Adenovirus outbreak in
Bangladesh?
Consultant Doctor’s from
Dhaka Shishu Hospital and Square hospital said that the recent symptoms found
in children are similar to those of adenovirus. Many people, including
children and the elderly, are visiting the Dhaka hospitals with the same
symptoms.
Consultant Dr. Ahmed
Sayed from Square hospital said on a local TV channel that they have diagnosed
several patients suffering from adenovirus infection and the test results were
positive.
IEDCR Director Prof
Tahmina Shirin said the institute had no 'surveillance' system for the
adenovirus. "Therefore, we can't say how people contracted the pathogen or
how many people were infected with adenovirus in Bangladesh.”
What is
Adenovirus?
Adenovirus belongs to
the wider Adenoviridae family. Adenoviruses are non-enveloped with
double-stranded DNA that acts as their genetic material. The non-enveloped
structure helps them to survive outside a host body for an extended
period.
Adenoviruses typically
cause mild cold- or flu-like illness involving the upper or lower respiratory
tract, gastrointestinal tract, or eyes.
Adenoviruses can cause
illness in people of all age groups, but specifically, children are at higher
risk. But it affects mostly children under-5 years of age, in winter, spring
and early summer.
Adenovirus has over 50
different types of mutations which affect the human body. People with
weakened immune systems (including from medications they are taking or from
heart or lung diseases) are at higher risk for developing severe adenovirus
infection.
Adenovirus types 3, 4, 7 and 14 are most commonly associated with acute respiratory illness.
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Adenoviruses can cause a
wide range of illnesses including
• common cold- or flu-like
symptoms
• fever
• runny nose
• sore throat
• conjunctivitis
• acute bronchitis
• pneumonia
• acute gastroenteritis
(diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain)
Less common illnesses
caused by adenovirus include urine or bladder infection and neurologic disease.
People with weak immune
systems, and existing respiratory or cardiac diseases are at higher risk of
developing severe illness from adenovirus.
Symptoms usually occur
in children younger than 5 years and may last 1 to 2 weeks.
Adenoviruses are usually
spread from an infected person to others through
• close personal
contact, such as touching or shaking hands
• the air droplets by
coughing and sneezing
• touching an object or
surface with adenoviruses on it, then touching mouth, nose, or eyes before
washing hands
• contact with stool,
for example, contaminated water and dirty diapers
Adenoviruses are often resistant to common disinfectants and can remain infectious for long periods of time on surfaces and objects.
Diagnosis in children
especially is usually clinical. Laboratory testing for adenoviruses is not
routinely done because most people have mild or no symptoms.
Adenovirus infections
can be identified using,
• Molecular detection
(e.g. PCR)
• Partial or full genome
sequencing
• Antigen detection
• Virus isolation
• Virus neutralization with
type-specific antisera
There is no specific
treatment for people with adenovirus infection. Most adenovirus infections are
mild and self-limiting and require only rest, hydration and other supportive
and symptomatic medications.
Clinical care of
adenovirus infections includes treatment of symptoms and complications.
There are no
FDA-approved antiviral drugs for adenovirus treatment. For hospitalized people
with severe adenovirus infection, consultation with infectious disease experts
is recommended.
There is a vaccine for
certain types of adenovirus that is used in US military personnel who may be at
higher risk for infection from these adenovirus types.
There is currently no
adenovirus vaccine available for the general public.
• Hand
sanitization/Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds,
and helping young children do the same.
• Avoid touching eyes,
nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wearing masks.
• Avoid close contact with
people who are sick.
• Avoid sharing clothes
and towels
• Staying home when sick.
• Cover mouth and nose
when coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid sharing cups and
eating utensils with others.
• Washing hands often with
soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after the toilet, before
eating, after touching surfaces like doorknobs, diapers or soiled clothes.
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