Adenovirus – What Nurses Need to Know

Adenovirus is a bunch of common viruses that may affect each animals and humans. These viruses typically cause mild colds or flu in people of all ages with no specific seasonal pattern (CDC, 2023). There are many differing kinds of adenoviruses that could cause a spread of illnesses, from mild to severe. With severe illness and even deaths reported secondary to adenovirus, it is necessary to have a broad knowledge of this virus to have the option to acknowledge symptoms, provide the perfect take care of patients, and have the option to reply questions.

There are greater than 50 forms of adenoviruses that could cause disease in people of all ages; nonetheless, people who find themselves immunocompromised or have chronic respiratory or heart disease are at greater risk of developing severe disease. Adenoviruses are highly contagious and spread through respiratory droplets and phone with contaminated surfaces or objects. It is vital to notice that folks with weakened immune systems who’ve ongoing asymptomatic infections but are asymptomatic can still shed the virus. In addition, outbreaks can occur with no seasonal pattern, especially in communities or crowded settings.

Symptoms and signs

Patients with adenovirus typically have symptoms of a chilly. However, they will experience a big selection of other illnesses and symptoms, including:

• Sore throat
• Bronchitis
• Pneumonia
• Diarrhea
• Gastroenteritis
• Conjunctivitis
• Fever
• Cystitis
• Neurological disease (CDC, 2024)

The CDC is currently working with health departments across the country and around the globe to discover children diagnosed with acute hepatitis of unknown cause to analyze a possible link to adenovirus type 41 infection (CDC, 2022). In October 2021, five children were diagnosed with hepatitis of unknown cause at an Alabama hospital, including some with liver failure. All five children tested positive for adenovirus. In addition to looking for more cases in Alabama, the CDC has issued a notice urging state and native health departments across the country to report potential cases (CDC, 2022).

Diagnosis

Quite a lot of methods will be used to discover adenovirus, including antigen detection, polymerase chain response (PCR), virus isolation, and serology (CDC, 2023). However, diagnosis will be difficult because even when an individual has an adenovirus infection, it is probably not the reason for their specific illness. Clusters of adenovirus infections must be reported to the state or local health department.

Transfer

Adenoviruses are typically transmitted from an infected person to others through personal contact, respiratory droplet particles, or transmission through contaminated surfaces. It can be possible for these viruses to spread through water contamination, corresponding to swimming pools and lakes.

Prevention

How can the transmission of adenovirus infections be prevented?

• Follow your facility’s infection control protocol.
• Follow good hand hygiene rules.
• Precautions must be taken to forestall contact and transmission of germs to infected patients.
• Inform staff about patients infected with adenovirus.
• Stay up thus far on current outbreaks and CDC recommendations.
  • Adenovirus vaccine is really useful for military personnel ages 17 to 50 who’re entering basic training or could also be at high risk for adenovirus infection (CDC, 2020).
• Ensure the cleanliness of the environment using appropriate disinfectants.
• React quickly and report cluster incidents.

Treatment

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, January 4). Adenovirus for Healthcare Workers. https://www.cdc.gov/adenovirus/hcp/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, January 8). Adenovirus VIS. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/adenovirus.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, June 8). Children with hepatitis of unknown cause. https://www.cdc.gov/ncird/investigation/hepatitis-unknown-cause/index.html

Flombenberg, P. & Kojaoghlanian, T. (2024, January 11). Pathogenesis, epidemiology, and clinical manifestations of adenovirus infection. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/pathogenesis-epidemiology-and-clinical-manifestations-of-adenovirus-infection AND