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Adenovirus infection

Adenovirus infection
SpecialtyInfectious diseases[1]
SymptomsCough, runny nose, sore throat, pink eye, abdominal pain, muscle ache, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue
ComplicationsAdenoviral keratoconjunctivitis, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, bronchiolitis, acute bronchitis, meningoencephalitis, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, pericarditis, hepatitis, nephritis[2]
Usual onset2–14 days after exposure
CausesAdenoviruses[3]
Risk factorsEndemic, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation[4]
Diagnostic methodSigns and symptoms, PCR test[5]
Differential diagnosisWhooping cough, influenza, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus[6]
PreventionHand washing, social distancing, avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth[7]
TreatmentSymptomatic and supportive[7]
PrognosisUsually recover without treatment[7]
FrequencyCommon, all ages,[8] typically children under 5 years[2]

Adenovirus infection is a contagious viral disease, caused by adenoviruses, commonly resulting in a respiratory tract infection.[1][9] Typical symptoms range from those of a common cold, such as nasal congestion, rhinitis, and cough, to difficulty breathing as in pneumonia.[9] Other general symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, abdominal pain and swollen neck glands.[6] Onset is usually two to fourteen days after exposure to the virus.[10] A mild eye infection may occur on its own, combined with a sore throat and fever, or as a more severe adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis with a painful red eye, intolerance to light and discharge.[2] Very young children may just have an earache.[6] Adenovirus infection can present as a gastroenteritis with vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, with or without respiratory symptoms.[2] However, some people have no symptoms.[5]

Adenovirus infection in humans are generally caused by Adenoviruses types B, C, E and F.[11] Spread occurs mainly when an infected person is in close contact with another person.[3] This may occur by either fecal–oral route, airborne transmission or small droplets containing the virus.[3] Less commonly, the virus may spread via contaminated surfaces.[3] Other respiratory complications include acute bronchitis, bronchiolitis and acute respiratory distress syndrome.[2] It may cause myocarditis, meningoencephalitis or hepatitis in people with weak immune systems.[2]

Diagnosis is by signs and symptoms, and a laboratory test is not usually required.[5] In some circumstances, a PCR test on blood or respiratory secretions may detect adenovirus DNA.[5][4] Other conditions that appear similar include whooping cough, influenza, parainfluenza, and respiratory syncytial virus.[6] Adenovirus gastroenteritis appears similar to diarrhoeal diseases caused by other infections.[12] Infection by adenovirus may be prevented by washing hands, avoiding touching own eyes, mouth and nose with unwashed hands, and avoiding being near sick people.[7] A live vaccine to protect against types 4 and 7 adenoviruses has been used successfully in some military personnel.[7] Management is generally symptomatic and supportive.[7] Most adenovirus infections get better without any treatment.[7] Medicines to ease pain and reduce fever can be bought over the counter.[7]

Adenovirus infections affect all ages.[8] They occur sporadically throughout the year, and outbreaks can occur particularly in winter and spring, when they may spread more quickly in closed populations such as in hospitals, nurseries, long-term care facilities, schools, and swimming pools.[10] Severe disease is rare in people who are otherwise healthy.[10] Adenovirus infection accounts for up to 10% of respiratory infections in children.[10] Most cases are mild and by the age of 10-years, most children have had at least one adenovirus infection.[2] 75% of conjunctivitis cases are due to adenovirus infection.[13] In 2016, the Global Burden of Disease Study estimated that globally, around 75 million episodes of diarrhea among children under the age of five-years, were attributable to adenovirus infection.[12] The first adenoviral strains were isolated in 1953 by Rowe et al.[14]

  1. ^ a b "Adenovirus Clinical Overview for Healthcare Professionals | CDC". www.cdc.gov. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Shieh, Wun-Ju (10 September 2021). "Human adenovirus infections in pediatric population - An update on clinico-pathologic correlation". Biomedical Journal. 45 (1): S2319–4170(21)00109–8. doi:10.1016/j.bj.2021.08.009. ISSN 2320-2890. PMC 9133246. PMID 34506970. S2CID 237479412.
  3. ^ a b c d "Adenovirus: transmission". www.cdc.gov. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Arnold2021 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference MSD2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Goldman2019 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h "Adenovirus: preventing and treating Adenovirus". www.cdc.gov. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  8. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference ATS2019 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ a b "Adenovirus". www.cdc.gov. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Lynch2016 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Flint, S. Jane; Nemerow, Glen R. (2017). "8. Pathogenesis". Human Adenoviruses: From Villains To Vectors. Singapore: World Scientific. pp. 153–183. ISBN 978-981-310-979-7.
  12. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Lee2020 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference Labib2020 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Haveman, Lianne M.; Bierings, Marc; Wolf, Tom F.W. (2004). "12. Adenovirus". In Kimpen, Jan L. L.; Ramilo, Octavio (eds.). The Microbe-Host Interface in Respiratory Tract Infections. Norfolk: CRC Press. p. 271. ISBN 0-8493-3646-5.

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