Adenovirus

Adenoviruses are common viruses that cause a range of illnesses. It infects the eyes, airways, lungs, intestines, and nervous system. It causes a cough, fever, diarrhea, pink eye and sore throat. It can happen at any age but it mostly occurs in children. At least one Adenovirus happens to most kids when they age 10. This infection gets better on its own but it gets serious to people with a weak immune system.

SYMPTOMS

Each type of adenovirus can affect you differently. It usually begins with cold symptoms like:

• Runny nose
• Cough
• Mild fever
• Throat irritation

However, some people may experience different symptoms if it progresses past 3 to 5 days. Symptoms may include:

• Other respiratory infections
• Barking cough, trouble breathing, high-pitched sound when breathing in
• Ear infection
• Pink eye
• Pneumonia
• Diarrhea
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Intestinal infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Swelling of the brain and spinal cord

TRANSMISSION

Adenovirus usually spread from an infected person to another it can happen through:

• Close personal contact
• Spreading cough and sneezing virus through the air
• Having a contact to an object or surface with adenovirus and not washing their hands
• Through an infected person stool
• Through water like swimming pool, but it is less common

This kind of virus can shed for a long time after a person recovers from its infection. Especially to people with a weak immune system, it occurs without any symptoms and it can still be spread.

PREVENTION

Adenovirus can be prevented by doing the following:

• Washing of hands with soap daily especially before and after mealtime
• Applying of alcohol-based and hand sanitizer
• Clean germ spot areas to totally get rid of it or prevent it from spreading
• Avoid swimming in pools that are not properly and well maintained

If you think you are infected with adenovirus you can prevent it from spreading by:

• Staying at home whenever you are sick
• Covering your mouth when coughing
• Covering your nose when sneezing
• Separate own eating utensils just for your use
• Refrain from having to close contact with others
• Daily hand washing with soap

TREATMENT

Boosting your immune system and daily exercise can cure adenovirus. Also by drinking and in taking of water and fruit juice. Practicing a healthy hygiene will also help as well.

If you experience having hard time breathing, turn on a cool-mist humidifier. For infants, a few drops of saline spray will help most for the child to breathe well. To bring down fever, consult a doctor for proper medicine to drink to relieve aches and fever.