What is Adenovirus?
Adenovirus is classified as Non-enveloped Ds-DNA virus. The virus contains double stranded DNA genetic amino acid chain. The viral infection is also known as common cold. The adenovirus infection attacks mucosal membrane of respiratory tract and conjunctiva. Adenovirus infection results in rhinitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis and keratoconjuctivitis. Adenoviral infection can cause life threatening multi organ infection in patient suffering with immunodeficiency syndrome. The adenovirus is divided in 5 subtypes known as mastadenovirus, avidenovirus, atadenovirus, siadenovirus and ichtadenovirus. The adenovirus starts rapidly multiplying once the virus enters into mucosal epithelial cells.
Clinical Manifestation of Adenovirus
Adenoviral infection causes keratoconjunctivitis, tonsillitis and infection of upper respiratory tract. The viral infection of upper respiratory tract is also known as strep throat, whooping cough or croup. There are several subtypes of adenovirus causing infection of gastrointestinal system resulting in gastroenteritis. Rarely few of subtypes of adenovirus causes viral meningitis and encephalitis. The spread of infection in mucosal membrane of urinary tract follows hemorrhagic cystitis and urinary tract infection.
Disease Caused by Adenovirus Infections
Upper Respiratory Tract Diseases Caused by Adenovirus Infection-
- Tonsillitis,
- Adenoiditis,
- Pharyngitis and
- Bronchitis
- Laryngotracheobronchitis
Symptoms Caused by Upper Respiratory Adenovirus Tract Infection-
- Croup. Cough associated with hoarse voice and stridor seen in patient suffering with laryngotracheobronchitis
- Cough
- Expectoration
- Throat Pain
- Fever.
Lower Respiratory Tract Diseases Caused By Adenovirus Infection-
- Bronchiolitis
- Pneumonia
Symptoms Bronchiolitis-
- Cyanosis resulting in blue lips and finger tips because of low oxygen in blood. Mostly seen in infants and young children.
- Fever
- Dehydration
- Cough with expectoration.
Symptoms Pneumonia-
- Fever with chills
- Dyspnea or short of breath
- Stabbing Chest Pain
- Sweating and Clammy Skin
- Loss of Appetite and Fatigue
- Confusion: Mostly observed after high fever
- Cough with Expectoration
- Hemoptysis: coughing drops of blood
- Chest Pain
Other Systemic Diseases Caused by Adenovirus Infection:
- Keratoconjunctivitis
- Meningitis and Encephalitis
- Urinary Tract Infection
- hemorrhagic Cystitis
Symptoms of Keratoconjuctivitis
- Fever
- Headache
- Conjunctival redness and edema
- Photophobia and blurry vision
- Swelling of eyelids
- Foreign body sensation within eye
Symptoms of Meningitis and Encephalitis
- High Fever
- Stiff neck
- Headache
- Seizures
- Confusion and Sleepiness
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Skin Rash
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection
- Fever
- Rash
- Burning urine
- Lower abdominal pain and pressure feeling,
- Increase frequency of urine
- Cloudy and smelly urine
- Feeling tired, muscle pain and generalize weakness
Symptoms of Hemorrhagic Cystitis
- Hematuria: Blood in urine
- Dysuria: Burning urine
- Lower abdominal pain and pressure feeling,
- Increase frequency of urine
- Urinary incontinence
General Treatment for Adenovirus Infections
- Hydration
- Treat fever
- Treat body ache
- Eye drops
- Antiviral pills
Specific Treatment-
Treating Hemorrhagic Cystitis Caused Due to Adenovirus Infection-
- Temporary packing to stop bleeding
- Percutaneous insertion of tube in bladder to drained the blood and blood clot
- Blood transfusion if needed
- Hypogastric artery embolization to stop blood passing to urinary bladder
- Cystectomy- removal of urinary bladder
Treating Pneumonia Due to Adenovirus Infection
- Antiviral medication
- Cough syrup
Treatment of Meningitis and Encephalitis Caused by Adenovirus Infection –
- Antiviral medication
- Treat low blood pressure with intravenous fluid and medications
- Unconscious patient with breathing difficulties may be treated with intubation and ventilation.
Prevention of Adenovirus Infection
The vaccine to prevent recurrent adenovirus infection has been discontinued in USA and not produced for prevention. The disease caused by adenovirus infection is transmitted from infected child and adult in school, place of work and playroom. The disease transmission is prevented by avoiding the direct contact and avoiding sharing of toys, work related objects and frequent hand wash.
Also Read:
- How Does Poliovirus or Enterovirus Spread, Know its Risk factors & Treatment
- Rhinovirus Infection or Common Cold Virus: How Does it Spread, Symptoms, Treatment
- How Does Viral Infection Spread, Know the classification and symptoms of Viral Infection
- Clinical Manifestation of Orthomyxovirus or Influenza & Its Symptoms, Treatment, Transmission
- Hepandnavirus or Hepatitis B Virus
- Hepatovirus: Infectious Hepatitis or Hepatitis A: Transmission, Incubation, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prognosis, Prevention
- Parvovirus Infection in Humans: Incubation, Transmission, Symptoms, Treatment
- Reovirus: Clinical Manifestation, Diseases Caused by Reovirus, its Symptoms, Treatment
- Retrovirus or HIV Infection: Transmission, Treatment, Clinical Manifestation, Prevention, Opportunistic Infections
- What is Norovirus: How Does it Spread, How Long does Norovirus Symptoms Last, Treatment, Prevention
- Antiviral Medications for Treating Viral Infections
- How Do Antiviral Drugs Work?
References:
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Mechanisms of pathogenesis of emerging adenoviruses. Cook J1, Radke J1., F1000Res. 2017 Jan 30;6:90.
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Epidemic keratoconjuctivitis due to adenovirus type 19. Burns RP., Trans Pac Coast Otoophthalmol Soc Annu Meet. 1976;57:67-73.
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Meningoencephalitis due to adenovirus in a healthy infant mimicking severe bacterial sepsis. Reyes-Andrade J1, Sánchez-Céspedes J, Olbrich P, Falcon L, Sanchez-Ganfornina I, Tebruegge M, Pérez-Romero P, Neth O., Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2014 Apr;33(4):416-9.
