Adenovirus Infections

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What are adenovirus infections? " пїЅ Adenovirus infections are a group of infections caused by a type of virus called "adenoviruses. " пїЅ Adenoviruses can infect different parts of the body. They cause many types of illnesses, including the common cold. пїЅ пїЅ

Adenovirus infections are not serious in most people, but they can be serious in young babies and people who have trouble fighting infections. This includes people who have had organ or stem cell transplants, people with cancer, and people with HIV infection. пїЅ пїЅ

Adenovirus infections happen more often in children than adults. They almost always cause a fever along with other symptoms. Adenovirus infections spread easily, so it is not unusual for there to be "outbreaks " пїЅ of infections. For example, this can happen in daycare centers. People just starting in the military also tend to get adenovirus infections. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of adenovirus infections? " пїЅ The symptoms of adenovirus infections are different depending on what part of the body the virus infects. Symptoms can include: пїЅ пїЅ

Fever
Sore throat
Runny nose
Cough
Ear pain
Conjunctivitis (also called "pink eye " пїЅ)
Diarrhea
Hoarse voice

Should I see a doctor or nurse? " пїЅ If you do not have trouble fighting infections, then probably not. Adenovirus infections usually get better on their own. But if any of your symptoms are severe or last longer than a few days, you should see your doctor or nurse. пїЅ пїЅ

You should also see your doctor or nurse if you have trouble fighting infections. For example, see your doctor or nurse if you have had an organ or stem cell transplant or if you have cancer or HIV infection. пїЅ пїЅ

The symptoms of adenovirus infection can also happen with more serious infections. To make sure that your child does not have one of these more serious infections, you should take your child to a doctor or nurse if he or she is: пїЅ пїЅ

Younger than 3 months and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ (38 пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ) or higher. Your infant should see a doctor or nurse even if he or she looks normal or seems fine.
Between 3 and 36 months and has a rectal temperature of 100.4 пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ (38 пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ) or higher for more than 3 days. Go right away of your child seems sick or is fussy, clingy, or refuses to drink fluids.
Between 3 and 36 months old and has a rectal temperature of 102 пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ (38.9 пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ) or higher.

Children of any age should also see a doctor or nurse if they have: пїЅ пїЅ

An oral, rectal, ear, or forehead temperature of 104 пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ (40 пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ) or higher
An armpit temperature of 103 пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ (39.4 пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ) or higher
A seizure caused by a fever
Fevers that keep coming back (even if they last only a few hours)
A fever as well as an ongoing medical problem, such as heart disease, cancer, lupus, or sickle cell anemia
A fever as well as a new skin rash

Will I need tests? " пїЅ Probably not. But if your symptoms or your childs symptoms are severe, the doctor might do tests to find out the cause of the infection. He or she might also order tests if lots of people in your area get the same type of infection. For example, doctors might do tests if lots of children at the same summer camp get an eye infection along with a sore throat and fever. пїЅ пїЅ

How are adenovirus infections treated? " пїЅ Adenovirus infections usually get better on their own without any treatment. But these infections can be serious in young babies or people who have problems fighting infections. In rare cases, doctors prescribe medicines that fight viruses. These are called "anti-viral medicines. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

Can adenovirus infections be prevented? " пїЅ The best way to prevent an adenovirus infection is to keep your hands clean. Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol gel rubs. пїЅ пїЅ

Some other ways to prevent the spread of infection are: пїЅ пїЅ

Always wash your hands with soap and water after you change your child's diaper.
Clean sinks, counters, and other surfaces with a bleach and water mixture.
Do not share towels, bed linens, pajamas, or other personal items.
Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough.

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 83054 Version 2.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

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Adenovirus Infections

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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