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.

Read In Details


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ybo9KrKVk7c
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/health/boundless-woes-afflict-child-cancer-patients
https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/adenovirus-in-kids-on-rise-warning-signs-complications-prevention-tips-by-doctors-101676963681764.html
https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/respiratory-viruses/adenovirus-infections
https://www.cdc.gov/adenovirus/hcp/clinical-overview.html

This is for informational purposes only. You should consult your clinical textbook for advising your patients.