Adenovirus
Adenovirus is a group of viruses that can cause various infections such as colds or flu.
Infection from this virus itself is known to vary, some are mild, some are severe in the body. Adenovirus infection most often affects the respiratory system.
In addition, this infection can cause symptoms similar to the common cold or flu.
Adenovirus can affect people of all ages. But the infection is most common in children under 5 years old.
However, most adenovirus infections are mild and only require symptom relief for treatment.
To date, researchers have identified about 50 types of adenoviruses that can infect humans.
However, the most common types of adenovirus are Adenovirus types 3, 4, and 7 which are most often associated with acute respiratory illness.
Meanwhile, adenovirus type 7 has been linked to more severe outcomes than other types of adenovirus, especially in people with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms of Adenovirus Infection
The symptoms of adenovirus infection that a person experiences will depend on which part of the body is infected with this virus.
However, this virus most often infects the body’s respiratory system.
Adenovirus infection of the respiratory tract can cause symptoms similar to the common cold or flu.
Symptoms or conditions that may be experienced include:
- Cough.
- Fever.
- Have a cold.
- Sore throat ( pharyngitis ).
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis).
- Ear infection (otitis media).
- Swollen lymph nodes.
- Cold chest (bronchitis).
- Pneumonia.
Not only respiratory, adenovirus can also affect the digestive tract.
Adenovirus infection of the digestive tract can cause diarrhea or possibly gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach or intestines).
This inflammation can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
In rare cases, adenovirus can affect a person’s bladder or nervous system.
The presence of a viral infection in the bladder can cause a urinary tract infection.
Meanwhile, viral infections in the body’s nervous system can cause conditions that can affect the brain. These conditions include encephalitis and meningitis.
Adenovirus Risk Factors
Adenovirus can affect people of all ages. However, the infection is most common in children under 5 years old because their immune systems are weak.
In addition, several factors can also increase a person’s risk of being exposed to this virus, namely:
- Living or residing in a crowded place. For example, military barracks, hostels, dormitories, to hospitals, and nursing homes.
- Having a child who is in preschool, because usually the playgroups are not very large, so they are crowded and there is a lot of close contact.
- Having a weak immune system. Examples include people with HIV or AIDS, children under 5 years old, and the elderly.
- Frequently traveling to areas or countries that have poor hygiene and sanitation.
- Having poor hygiene, such as rarely washing hands with soap and water after doing certain activities.
Causes of Adenovirus Infection
Adenovirus infection is caused by the adenovirus virus itself. It is important to note that adenovirus can spread in several ways, namely:
- Close contact. The virus can spread from person to person through shaking hands, kissing, or hugging.
- Air. The virus can spread through droplets (splashes of saliva) released from sneezing and coughing.
- Surfaces. After touching a contaminated surface, a person can be exposed to the virus by touching their eyes, nose, or mouth before washing their hands.
- Feces (stool). The virus can be spread through the feces of an infected person. For example, a person can become infected while changing the diaper of an infected baby.
- Water. The virus can spread through unchlorinated water. For example, if someone infected with adenovirus swims in a pool without adequate chlorine, they can spread the virus. However, this type of spread is rare.
Diagnosis of Adenovirus Infection
If you have a mild infection, you may not need to see a doctor.
However, if you have severe symptoms, immediately check your condition.
Later, the doctor will perform laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis of adenovirus.
The doctor may also swab your nose or throat to collect a mucus sample.
Some types of laboratory tests to diagnose adenovirus infection are:
- Blood test, by taking a blood sample.
- Urine examination, by taking a urine sample.
- Swab test, by taking a sample of mucus from the nose.
- Stool test, by collecting a stool sample.
- Chest X-ray, which uses radiation to take pictures of the inside of the patient’s chest. This helps the doctor get a closer look at the heart and lungs.
Adenovirus Infection Treatment
Treatment of adenovirus infection is symptomatic and supportive. To date, there is no antiviral drug that has been proven to kill the virus.
However, there are several ways to relieve symptoms, namely:
- Drink plenty of fluids. People with this condition can lose fluids due to fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration. Water or fruit juice are good choices to keep your body hydrated. You can also drink drinks that contain electrolytes.
- Treat nasal congestion. When infected with adenovirus, sufferers may need to blow their nose frequently. For babies, spray a few drops of saline spray into their nose. Then suck out the mucus with a bulb syringe.
- Turn on a humidifier. Moisture can help relieve nasal congestion and help the sufferer breathe easier.
- Lower fever. Ask your doctor about any medications that can lower fever.
Adenovirus Prevention
A person can reduce the risk of getting sick with this viral infection by protecting themselves and their family.
Here are some ways that can be done to prevent this infection:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Wash for at least 20 seconds. If soap is not available, you can also clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent ethanol.
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes if you haven’t washed your hands.
- Try to stay away from people who are sick and avoid crowds.
- Clean and disinfect children’s toys frequently.
- Clean counters, sinks, and other hard surfaces with a mixture of bleach and water.
If you are already sick with this viral infection, take steps to prevent it from spreading, such as:
- Do not leave the house if you are sick.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or tissue. Do not cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing with your palm.
- Wear a mask while at home.
- Do not share eating utensils, glasses, towels, and pillows with others.
- Keep your distance from others, avoid hugging and kissing other people or family members at home.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
Adenovirus Complications
Without proper treatment, adenovirus infection can cause several complications, namely:
- Severe infection.
- Chronic lung disease.
- Intussusception.
- Bronchiectasis.
Additionally, complications from this virus can include acute respiratory distress syndrome (which can develop from viral pneumonia) and viral meningitis (which refers to inflammation of the brain and spinal cord).
It should be noted that someone with a weak immune system or who has recently undergone an organ transplant who is infected with adenovirus may also experience more severe complications.