Knowledge Shot: Are you at risk of an adenovirus infection

Adenoviruses have been in the news recently as there was a recent outbreak of adenovirus infections in New Jersey that has been responsible for the deaths of at least 10 children.

So what are adenoviruses and how dangerous are they? Adenoviruses are, actually, a common group of viruses that are mostly known for causing mild upper respiratory illnesses like a mild cold, but they can also cause severe problems like pneumonia.

They can also cause diarrhea, pink eye, bladder infections, and even neurological diseases if the infection hits the brain or spinal cord.

These viruses circulate year round and are spread when a person sneezes or coughs which releases the viruses into the air.

If the virus lands on another person’s nose, mouth, or eyes - bullseye! Alternatively, the virus might land on nearby objects like a light switch—where they can be difficult to remove with cleaning products, and remain infectious for weeks.

They can also be passed by close personal contact, like when that aggressive aunt pinches your cheek at family dinners. The good news is that hand washing with soap and water, and avoiding close personal contact with infected people—usually removes the threat.

On the flip side, if you are sick, it’s good to stay home to avoid spreading the illness, to cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze, cough into your elbow when you cough, and to wash your hands frequently.

There is a vaccine for adenoviruses, but it’s only given to soldiers and the risks of the vaccine are unknown for children.

Now, unfortunately, adenovirus infections are more severe in children with underlying heart or lung diseases as well as children with weakened immune systems.

This brings us back to the outbreak in New Jersey, which has devastated already sick children at a nursing and rehabilitation center.

In these outbreak settings, the adenovirus infection can be diagnosed and identified with a viral culture, adenovirus-specific viral antigen assays, and polymerase chain reaction assays that look for the viral DNA.

Fortunately, most adenovirus infections are mild, and improve with hydration and a few days of rest. In extreme cases, particularly among individuals who have underlying medical problems like stem cell transplants, the infection can be severe and require antiviral drugs like cidofovir and brincidofovir—both of which have been shown to treat the infection, but come with their own side effects.

Alright, as a quick recap. Adenoviruses are common viruses that cause a wide range of illnesses—the vast majority of which are mild, like the common cold.

Unfortunately, these infections can become life threatening if they strike someone with underlying medical problems. While there is no widely available vaccine for adenovirus, taking a common sense approach, like avoiding close contact with sick people and washing your hands can protect you.