How does adenovirus infection manifest?
The disease begins gradually: nasal congestion and profuse discharge, sore throat and sore throat appear, the temperature rises to 38–39 °C. A characteristic feature is undulating fever, which can last up to a week. The posterior wall of the pharynx looks granular, the tonsils are enlarged, and the cervical and submandibular lymph nodes can be palpated. Approximately some patients develop conjunctivitis: the eyes become red, watery, and in the morning the eyelashes stick together. Abdominal pain and loose stools are also possible.
- Runny nose with copious discharge
- Sore throat and grainy back of the throat
- Temperature in waves for up to a week
- Enlarged cervical lymph nodes
- Conjunctivitis with redness and watery eyes
- Cough
- Sometimes abdominal pain and loose stools
How is it transmitted and who gets sick?
The virus is transmitted by airborne droplets when coughing and talking, through hands and objects, as well as through water in swimming pools: adenoviruses are stable in the external environment and are poorly inactivated by insufficient chlorination. The incubation period is usually two to twelve days. Most often, children who start attending kindergarten or school, as well as members of their families, get sick. The virus can be shed in the stool for several weeks after recovery, so hand hygiene is important.
- Airborne path
- Contact path through hands, toys, towels
- Water in pools and reservoirs
- Children's groups and crowding
- Prolonged viral shedding after illness
- Stability of the virus in the external environment
Diagnostics
In typical cases, the diagnosis is made by a doctor based on the clinical picture, especially when pharyngitis, fever and conjunctivitis are combined. Laboratory confirmation by PCR or rapid test is rarely required - mainly in outbreaks, severe cases and in patients with reduced immunity. A complete blood count and C-reactive protein help distinguish a viral infection from a bacterial one and decide on an antibiotic. In case of prolonged fever and suspected pneumonia, a chest X-ray is prescribed, and in case of severe conjunctivitis, the child is examined by an ophthalmologist.
- Examination by a doctor, assessment of the pharynx, eyes and lymph nodes
- General blood test
- C-reactive protein
- PCR or rapid test according to indications
- Chest X-ray for suspected pneumonia
- Examination by an ophthalmologist for eye damage
Treatment
There are no specific antiviral drugs for adenovirus, and treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms. The main thing is sufficient drinking, moisturized cool air, rinsing the nose with saline solution and antipyretics depending on age and well-being. For conjunctivitis, the eyes are washed with clean water or saline with separate wipes for each eye; The drops are prescribed by the doctor. Antibiotics do not affect viruses and are used only for proven bacterial complications, such as otitis media or pneumonia. Immunostimulants with unproven effectiveness are not needed.
- Drink plenty of fluids and cool, moist air
- Rinse the nose with saline solution
- Antipyretics by age and weight
- Separate napkins and towel for each eye
- Eye drops only as prescribed by a doctor
- Antibiotics - only for bacterial complications
- Re-examination for persistent fever
Complications and prevention
Most often, the disease ends with recovery in one to two weeks, but in young children, otitis media, bronchitis and pneumonia, as well as dehydration in the intestinal form, are possible. Keratoconjunctivitis may persist and require observation by an ophthalmologist. Prevention comes down to the usual measures: hand washing, ventilation, separate towels in the family, avoiding visiting the pool when sick. A sick child should not be taken to a children's group until the temperature normalizes and the symptoms subside.
- Otitis media
- Bronchitis and pneumonia
- Dehydration in the intestinal form
- Protracted keratoconjunctivitis
- Hand washing and room ventilation
- Separate towels and bed linen
- Isolation of the sick person until the condition improves