Adenovirus in adults: symptoms and treatment. Everything you need to know about treating adenovirus infection in adults

Adenovirus can affect such parts of the body as the intestinal mucosa, eyes, respiratory tract, and lymph nodes. Infectious diseases of this type most often spread among children's groups, since it is children who have reduced immunity. They can also be found in adults, but much less often, and they are encountered during spring and summer.

Is an eye infection dangerous: symptoms and complications

Some call this disease an adenoid viral infection, but this is not entirely true, since there are differences in symptoms and possible complications. It is worth noting that this infection has an incubation period of 2 weeks, and the bacteria can tolerate freezing, but they can die under the influence of chlorine and ultraviolet rays.

The virus is transmitted through airborne droplets.

Adenovirus infection can occur due to almost 50 types of pathogen. Once a person has had such an infection, the body develops immunity to secondary infection. Secondary infection is possible, but only with another type of this virus. The virus is not dangerous for such a place in the body as an adenoma, and problems most often arise in the eye. But, if they are not treated in time, then such bacterial infections can cause many complications, but this is rare and only in special cases.

Complications may include:

Otitis, which is treated with flemoxin;
Bronchitis, which cannot be eliminated without an antibiotic;
Sinusitis, the treatment of which requires homeopathic remedies;
Sinusitis;
Conjunctivitis is purulent and membranous.

In a particularly severe case, there may be kidney damage, impaired functioning of the heart muscle, or a problem with the central nervous system.

Symptoms of adenovirus infection in adults

As with any infection, adenovirus can begin to develop as soon as possible. All this is accompanied by symptoms of intoxication, as thermoregulation is impaired, headache, lethargy and drowsiness are present. What symptoms may appear with such an adenovirus infection? As a rule, the first signs may appear 3 days after infection.

This period is accompanied by symptoms such as:

Weaknesses;
Headache;
Rhinitis;
Inflammation, itching and watery eyes;
Soreness of the lymph nodes;
Inflammation in the throat area;
High temperature up to 39 ᵒC;
Gastroenteritis.

A day after the first symptoms appear, the temperature rises to almost the maximum level, and against this background, a deterioration in general well-being is observed. Additionally, symptoms reminiscent of influenza and ARVI may be present.

Namely, a stuffy nose, cough, pain in the throat, and inflammation of the cavity of the soft palate.

After 7 days, conjunctivitis develops, and there may also be infiltration on the eyelids. The specificity of the manifestation of the disease directly depends on what virus has infected the body, as well as where exactly the problem develops. For example, a symptom of intoxication can be strong or, on the contrary, weak. It is worth noting that both adults and children complain the same way, but some have symptoms that are too blurred, and an accurate diagnosis can only be established through a specialist and a competent diagnosis.

Treatment of adenoviral infection in adults with medication

Medical specialists categorically prohibit treating symptoms of adenoviral infection without prior examination, diagnosis and consultation with a doctor. Basically, drug therapy is used, but there is no such special drug that can instantly eliminate this problem. Typically, treatment is aimed at removing symptoms and suppressing the activity of the virus.

Basically, doctors prefer:

Immunostimulants;
Antihistamines;
Vitamin complexes;
Antipyretic;
Anti-diarrhea medications;
Painkillers;
Antitussive;
Expectorant;
Nasal drops.

If there is a suspicion that complications have developed or that chronic diseases have worsened, especially in the respiratory tract, then broad-spectrum antibiotics should be used. In order to cure non-purulent conjunctivitis? It is worth using eye drops, in particular deoxyribonuclease/sodium sulfate.

If purulent conjunctivitis is diagnosed, then you should choose an ointment based on Prednisolone.

Basically, a week is enough for a complete recovery, but provided that the treatment complies with the recommendations of a specialist. If the viral cells linger too much in the body, recovery can last up to 3 weeks.

Eye infection in adults: diagnosis

In order to prescribe effective treatment, you must definitely go to the doctor, who, in turn, gives a referral for tests, which will rule out the presence of another infection. Basically, standard studies are used, but it is not advisable to violate the doctor’s recommendations regarding the diagnosis.

Required:

General blood and urine analysis;
Virological examination to examine the mucous membranes in the nose and throat;
PCR and adenovirus DNA analysis;
Electron microscopy.

The doctor must draw up an overall clinical picture in order to understand what the patient’s condition is and prescribe precise treatment. Information about temperature fluctuations, the presence or absence of specific symptoms, and general condition is required.

At the first symptoms, it is advisable to record data on their brightness, what deterioration and improvement occur, and you also need to draw up a temperature chart.

Adenoviral infection is very difficult to differentiate, but without a doctor it is impossible to diagnose. There are a number of preventive measures that will help prevent the formation of adenovirus infection. As a rule, this is a whole complex through which immunity protection is increased. Personal hygiene is mandatory. It is necessary to exclude contact with those who are already infected, even if it is not an adenovirus, but simply ARVI. During the autumn-winter period, it is worth taking vitamins, eating right and not forgetting about clothes for the season. If you have chronic diseases, you need to get advice on how to prevent their exacerbation.

What is adenoviral infection in adults (video)

It is advisable to maintain proper nutrition and lifestyle, and also not to forget about sports and conditioning. It is necessary to constantly ventilate the room to prevent the accumulation of viruses and bacteria. It is necessary to avoid hypothermia, which will reduce immunity. This is the only way to maintain health for a long time to eliminate problems.

Adenovirus infection is a disease caused by adenoviruses. As the disease develops, damage occurs to the intestines, respiratory organs, eyes and lymph nodes. Most cases of infection occur during cold periods of the year.

Adenovirus infections mainly affect children and adults with weakened immune systems.

Viral infections still remain a pressing problem, since there is no way to completely protect yourself from infection. About 90% of people experience colds at least once a year. Often, the symptoms of diseases do not cause concern for the patient, but in the absence of timely treatment, diseases caused by adenoviruses can lead to serious consequences:

otitis media;
bronchitis;
sinusitis;
other things.

Such diseases can also become chronic, after which a person’s complete recovery is unlikely.

Adenoviral infection is an anthropogenic disease. After infection, the virus begins to affect the mucous membranes of the eyes, respiratory tract, intestines, and urinary system. There are more than 90 subtypes of adenoviruses, of which 49 can be considered dangerous to humans. All of them are resistant to low temperatures, so most of the diseases they cause occur during cold periods of the year.

After the virus enters the blood, it begins to multiply and infect cells, destroying their structure. In this case, the disease can manifest itself in different ways. With a latent adenovirus infection, the virus only affects lymphoid cells, but if the infection is active, then deeper cells will also be destroyed. in this case, intoxication of the patient’s body and damage to various organs will occur.

Causes of development in adults

Adenoviral infection develops when the virus penetrates the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract. Also, the introduction of the organism can occur through contact with the mucous membrane of the eyes or intestines. Penetrating the epithelium, the virus begins to rapidly multiply in the cell nucleus. In this case, the cells of the lymph nodes are destroyed first. In this case, already infected cells become foci for the spread of the virus. With the blood flow, they move to other human organs, infecting them too.

Most often the first to be affected are:

mucous membrane of the nasopharynx;
tonsils;
larynx;
mucous membrane of the eye.

When the organs of the respiratory system are affected, the patient experiences swelling of the nasopharynx and tonsils, and mucus begins to be released from the nasal sinuses. If the eyes were the first to be affected, the patient notes increased lacrimation, redness of the eyes, burning and itching, and white-yellow discharge.
If left untreated, there is a high risk of the disease developing into bronchitis and pneumonia. The tissue of the kidneys, liver or spleen may also be destroyed.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Like other viral infections, adenovirus has a number of symptoms that make it quite easy to identify. The disease manifests itself classically, that is, after an incubation period during which the virus develops and grows. This usually happens within two weeks, after which the person begins to notice symptoms of the disease such as:

heat;
weakness;
sore throat;

All symptoms appear gradually. But already three days after the development of the disease, a person may experience a high temperature - up to 39 degrees. It is accompanied by:

joint pain;
lack of appetite;
muscle pain;
lethargy;
headaches;
diarrhea;
nausea;
vomiting;
swelling and redness of the eyes;
redness of the throat;
the appearance of plaque on the back of the tongue.

If the disease is not detected in a timely manner, symptoms such as:

Adenoviral infection caused by the conjunctivitis virus is quite common. In this case, the mucous membrane of the eye becomes infected. Five days after the virus enters the cells, symptoms such as:

swelling of the eyelids;
hyperemia;
sensitivity to bright light;
increased lacrimation;
itching in the eyes;
pain;
redness of the whites;
inflammation of the blood vessels of the eyes.

If a number of the above symptoms are detected, you must immediately visit a doctor to accurately establish the diagnosis and carry out the necessary treatment. Some types of infection may have other signs of development, depending on the type of virus. Highlight:

pharyngoconjunctival fever;
mesenteric lymphadenitis;
tonsillopharyngitis;
keratoconjunctivitis;
Qatar of the upper respiratory tract.

With fever, serious inflammation of the respiratory tract, a sharp increase in temperature to high levels and its periodic decrease are noted. This type of disease can last up to two weeks.

With lymphadenitis, a sharp increase in body temperature is also observed, but the disease is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and pain in the peritoneum.

Tonsillopharyngitis is accompanied by a sore throat, the presence of a whitish coating on the tongue and tonsils, as well as their enlargement.

With keratoconjunctivitis, not only the mucous membrane of the eye is affected, but also the cornea. The disease is accompanied by chills, headaches, and increased photosensitivity. The disease lasts the longest, unlike other forms of adenoviral infections. Treatment may take about a month.

Upper respiratory tract catarrh is one of the most common types of these infections. As the disease develops over three days, the patient's body temperature rises, drowsiness, weakness, and muscle pain appear. The mucous membranes of the respiratory tract are inflamed, and signs of tracheobronchitis may be observed.

It is necessary to diagnose the disease in any of its forms only by visiting a doctor and passing all the prescribed tests:

urine;
blood;
immunofluorescence;
serological research;
virological research.

Since the cause of the disease is a virus, the doctor will be able to accurately diagnose only after receiving all the research results.

How and what to treat correctly?

Treatment of adenoviral infections is carried out at home. The patient is advised to remain in bed during the entire illness and avoid physical activity and stress. The patient should eat light food and drink plenty of fluids. If the patient’s body temperature does not exceed 38 degrees, then it should not be knocked down, but to alleviate the person’s condition, a towel moistened with cool water can be placed on his head.

If the disease is accompanied by a dry cough, then in addition to medications, you can take warm milk with honey and soda. If the cough is accompanied by sputum production, then it is worth using expectorants.

If the infection has affected the mucous membrane of the eyes, then the person should be in a room with dim light. The eyes themselves can be washed with strong tea and compresses can be made based on it.

Medicines

The use of medications to treat adenovirus infection is mandatory. First of all, antibiotics are prescribed:

Lysobacter;
Imudon;
Yox;
Hexoral;
Stopangin.

If there is an individual intolerance to the components, the doctor may replace the required medicine with another one.

In addition to antibiotics, drugs are used to eliminate the symptoms of the disease.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine can also be used in treatment.

For gastroenteritis, you can use dried blueberry compote. It will help reduce discomfort. You can take this drink in unlimited quantities.

For this type of infection, you can use a recipe such as vodka with salt. You will need a glass of vodka into which you should add a teaspoon of salt and stir. The resulting mixture should be drunk in one gulp and go to bed.

If you have a cold, you can eliminate the symptoms of the disease with warmed red wine. A glass of 200 ml is heated and drunk before bed or taken during the day (3 times) in small sips.

Using milk with onions also helps. To prepare the infusion you will need a glass of milk and one onion. Grate the onion on a fine grater and pour boiling milk over it. The resulting mixture must be infused for half an hour, and then taken hot before bed and after waking up.

Honey helps to cope with colds. Two tablespoons of this product, dissolved in warm water with lemon juice, will help soothe cough and sore throat. This drink can be used as tea and even used to rinse the nasopharynx with nasal congestion.

If the infection is represented by conjunctivitis, then grated potatoes can be applied to the affected eye. It helps relieve swelling and relieve pain and itching. To prepare the compress you will need a potato. It is rubbed on a fine grater and the resulting pulp is wrapped in gauze, squeezed out and applied to the damaged eye.

You can also use a juice compress. It is diluted with water in a concentration of 1 to 10 and used as drops. They can be used 3-4 times a day, placing one drop in each eye.

Medicinal herbs

The use of medicinal herbs and decoctions or infusions based on them is not contraindicated for adenoviral infections.

For gastroenteritis, you can take an infusion. To prepare it you will need 15 g of dried plant and 300 ml of boiling water. it should be poured over the dried inflorescences and left to infuse for 2-3 hours. The resulting infusion should be taken three times a day after meals.

If the patient develops severe diarrhea, then bileaf aspen will help cope with it. Brew a spoonful of the dried plant in a glass of boiling water and drink one tablespoon 8 times a day.

If a person exhibits cold symptoms, rinsing the mouth with infusion will help. This plant helps relieve inflammation and relieves sore throats. To prepare the infusion you will need two bags of the collection. They should be poured with a glass of hot water and left to infuse for 40 minutes. The finished product is used both for rinsing the mouth and for rinsing the nasopharynx and throat.

For conjunctivitis, you can use cornflower infusion. It is used to wash the eyes. You will need 25 g of dried flowers. They are poured with a glass of boiling water and left for half an hour. The resulting infusion is filtered and cooled, and then used 4 times a day to wash the eyes.

Any traditional medicine can be used only after consulting a doctor.

Diet for infections is usually not required, but the patient should eat a light diet and drink plenty of fluids. The optimal dish would be boiled chicken and chicken broth.

The patient should also take a course of vitamins C, B6, B1-B3, A to strengthen the immune system.

When diagnosing an adenoviral infection, the patient should strictly follow all the doctor’s recommendations and not self-medicate. The only exceptions may be products that have been approved by a doctor.

You should not lower your temperature to less than 38 degrees, lead an active lifestyle and eat heavy and fatty foods. It is important to concentrate on treatment and then the disease can be cured as soon as possible.

In the absence of necessary treatment, the disease can develop with complications. They are usually presented in the form of pneumonia, otitis media, sinusitis and bronchitis. Getting rid of them is much more difficult. Also, if left untreated for a long time, the virus can infect the internal organs of a person, which will lead to the development of other diseases.

Preventive measures

It is easier to prevent any disease than to cure it; for this reason, regular prevention should be carried out during periods of epidemics. Two weeks before their onset, it is recommended to take a course of vitamins to increase the body's resistance. Depending on the type of drug, the doctor will be able to tell you how often they should be used.

When visiting crowds of large numbers of people, you should lubricate your sinuses with Oxolinic ointment. It prevents the virus from entering the respiratory tract. Also, when communicating with people who are already sick, you should avoid direct contact.

It is necessary to wash your hands as often as possible, since bacteria found on any surfaces can reduce a person’s immunity and make him more susceptible to disease.

During epidemics, you should wear a gauze mask, and be sure to dress in accordance with weather conditions to avoid hypothermia.

Adenoviral infection is a group of anthroponotic acute viral diseases affecting the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, eyes, intestines and lymphoid tissue, mainly in children and young people.

The term “adenoviruses” was proposed by Enders and Francis in 1956, and the diseases caused by this pathogen began to be called adenoviral.

ICD-10 codes

B34.0. Adenoviral infection, unspecified.
B30.0. Keratoconjunctivitis caused by adenovirus.
B30.1. Conjunctivitis caused by adenovirus.

ICD-10 code

B34.0 Adenoviral infection, unspecified

B97.0 Adenoviruses as a cause of diseases classified elsewhere

Epidemiology of adenovirus infection

The source of infection is a sick person who releases the virus into the environment throughout the illness, as well as a virus carrier. Viruses are released from the upper respiratory tract, with feces and tears. The role of “healthy” virus carriers in the transmission of infection is quite significant. The maximum period for viral shedding is 40-50 days. Adenoviral conjunctivitis can be a nosocomial infection. The transmission mechanism is airborne, fecal-oral. Routes of transmission: airborne droplets, food, household contact. Intrauterine infection of the fetus is possible. Susceptibility is high. Mostly children and young people are affected. Seasonality is not decisive, but in the cold season the incidence of adenoviral infections increases, with the exception of pharyngoconjunctival fever, which is diagnosed in the summer. The nature of the epidemic process is largely determined by the serological types of adenoviruses. Epidemics caused by adenoviruses of types 1, 2, 5 are rare; types 3, 7 are more common. After an illness, species-specific immunity is formed.

What causes adenovirus infection?

Symptoms of adenovirus infection

The incubation period lasts from 5 to 14 days.

Adenoviral infection is characterized by polymorphism of clinical symptoms and syndromes. The clinical picture may be dominated by symptoms indicating damage to the respiratory tract, eyes, intestines, and bladder. lymphoid tissue. Possible development of meningoencephalitis. In adults, adenoviral infection occurs more often in a latent form, in young people - in a clinically pronounced form. The disease develops gradually. The temperature rises from the first day of illness, its duration varies from 5-7 days to 2 weeks. Sometimes low-grade fever persists for up to 4-6 weeks, there may be a two-wave fever, rarely three waves are observed. In most cases, symptoms of intoxication are moderate, even with high fever.

Due to the tropism of adenoviruses for lymphoid tissue, from the first days of the disease, the nasopharyngeal tonsils are involved in the process and difficult nasal breathing, puffiness of the face, and serous rhinitis with copious discharge appear (especially in younger age groups). A characteristic sign of the disease is pharyngitis with a pronounced exudative component. Pharyngitis is characterized by mild pain or sore throat. On examination, hyperplasia of lymphoid follicles is revealed against the background of edematous and hyperemic mucous membrane of the posterior pharyngeal wall. The tonsils are enlarged; in some patients, white, tender plaques are visible, which can be easily removed with a spatula.

In adults, unlike children, clinical signs of bronchitis are rarely detected. Children are characterized by a moderate short cough with scanty mucous discharge. In addition, almost every fifth sick child develops acute stenosing laryngotracheitis, which is severe, with a pronounced exudative component. Some children experience obstructive syndrome, which has edematous or mixed forms. It can last up to 3 weeks. At the same time, the cough is wet and intrusive; exhalation is difficult, shortness of breath is mixed. Auscultation reveals a large number of wet rales of various sizes and isolated dry rales. Young children may develop obliterating bronchitis.

Often adenovirus infection is accompanied by moderate lymphadenopathy. The cervical, submandibular, mediastinal and mesenteric lymph nodes are enlarged. Mesadenitis manifests itself either against the background of other manifestations of adenoviral infection, or as the main syndrome. The main clinical sign is acute paroxysmal pain predominantly in the lower abdomen (in the right iliac, periumbilical regions). Nausea often appears, vomiting and diarrhea are less common. There are practically no changes in the cardiovascular system. In some patients, hepatolienal syndrome occurs, sometimes with increased aminotransferase activity (ALT, AST).

Complications of adenovirus infection

Frequent complications are otitis media, sinusitis and pneumonia, which develop as a result of a secondary infection. Often, against the background of adenovirus infection, an exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis occurs. Cases of complications of adenoviral mesadenitis by intussusception have been described.

Diagnosis of adenoviral infection

Clinically, adenoviral infection is diagnosed by the presence of conjunctivitis, pharyngitis, lymphadenopathy against the background of fever.

The blood picture for adenoviral infection is nonspecific and has no diagnostic value. Serological diagnosis is used to retrospectively decipher the etiology of ARVI. RTGA and RSK are widely used. Express diagnostic methods are represented by indirect hemadsorption reaction, ELISA and RIF. They make it possible to detect adenovirus antigens in the epithelial cells of the nasal cavity within 3-4 hours. Cell scraping is performed in the first days of the infectious process. The detection of viral antigens in the nuclei of epithelial cells indicates a latent course of the infectious process; the presence of antigens in the cytoplasm makes it possible to diagnose an acute disease. Isolation of the virus in tissue culture is used for scientific purposes.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis is carried out with ARVI of another etiology, oropharyngeal diphtheria, ocular diphtheria, and tonsillitis. Adenoviral infection has a number of similar symptoms to infectious mononucleosis and typhoid fever. Yersiniosis also occurs with symptoms of pharyngitis, conjunctivitis, hepatolienal syndrome, diarrhea and prolonged fever.

Indications for consultation with other specialists

The indication for consultation with a surgeon is the development of adenoviral mesadenitis, which occurs with severe abdominal pain and vomiting. Consultation with an ophthalmologist is indicated for eye damage.

Indications for hospitalization

Most patients are treated at home. Patients with severe forms of the disease, complications, concomitant diseases, and also for epidemiological indications are subject to hospitalization.

Adenoviral infection is an acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI) in humans that affects the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, nasopharynx, oral cavity, as well as the intestines and lymphoid tissue. Signs of adenovirus infection are intoxication and fever. Most often, young children are exposed to adenovirus infection, much less often pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

The cause of infection is an adenovirus, which is transmitted by the patient, releasing it into the external environment by airborne droplets, as well as through waste products of the body containing the adenovirus infection virus.

Epidemic outbreaks of adenovirus infection are recorded throughout the year, but it is worth noting that in winter the risk of infection increases many times. Most often, children under six years of age suffer from adenovirus infection, but infants are protected from the adenovirus due to the immunity they receive from their mother. Adenoviral infection in children spreads quickly in kindergartens and preschool institutions upon contact with a carrier of the virus: the disease is transmitted through breathing, sneezing, and food.

Patients with adenovirus infection pose the greatest danger in the period 2-3 weeks after the onset of the inflammatory process, since during this period the highest concentration of the pathogenic virus in the human body is observed. A special feature of the adenovirus is that it can continue to enter the external environment from the human body for another 10-14 days after recovery.

During the period up to 6 years, a child can experience an adenovirus infection several times, but with age, the body develops a strong immunity to the virus and the risk of infection decreases significantly every year.

Penetrating into the epithelial cells of the respiratory and eye organs, the adenovirus, rapidly multiplying in the nucleus, stops cell division and destroys them. Adenoviral infection can also develop inside the cells of the lymph nodes and intestines. Adenoviruses spread quite quickly throughout the infected body through the blood, causing an acute inflammatory process in the mucous membranes of the respiratory system and eyes, and further provoking damage to other organs - the lungs, bronchi, liver, kidneys, and even the brain.

The incubation period of adenoviral infection lasts from the moment the virus enters the body until its first reproduction inside the affected cells and ranges from approximately 20 hours to 14 days, depending on the state of the human body.

The primary symptoms of this disease are the same as for ARVI

Symptoms of adenovirus infection

Most of the symptoms of adenovirus are also characteristic of other diseases (flu, bronchitis, various allergic reactions), so it is necessary to carefully monitor the signs of the disease, their development and changes, in order to make the correct diagnosis in time and apply the necessary treatment. It should be noted that the symptoms of adenovirus infection in children and adults are similar, but in older patients the intensity of the signs of the disease is much lower.

The first sign of adenovirus infection in children is fever and headache. The patient feels severe weakness and malaise, complains of muscle pain and lack of appetite. Within 3 days, typical signs of an adenovirus appear: severe sore throat, nasal congestion, redness and burning of the eyes. The temperature during adenovirus infection rises to 39 degrees.

Specific symptoms of adenovirus infection are:

prolonged fever (high body temperature for seven days or longer);
intoxication;
the appearance of conjunctivitis (inflammation and severe redness of the mucous membrane of the eyeball);
rhinitis (inflammatory process of the nasal mucosa with frequent sneezing, copious discharge);
pharyngitis (pharyngeal inflammation).

With adenovirus infection, various forms of intoxication are observed: from mild malaise and poor appetite to abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, as well as diarrhea and reluctance to eat. Lesions of the intestinal mucosa appear a week after infection with an adenovirus infection.

Conjunctivitis is one of the main signs of adenoviral infection in adults and children: damage to the eye mucosa usually appears on the 3-4th day of illness. Redness and itching may initially be felt in only one eye, but as the disease progresses, conjunctivitis spreads to the second. The patient's eyes become very close due to yellow discharge and react painfully to bright light. It is conjunctivitis, as one of the specific symptoms, that allows one to accurately diagnose an adenovirus infection in a patient, since it is not typical for most respiratory viral infections.

Conjunctivitis is one of the main signs of adenovirus infection

A specific symptom of adenoviral infection is also the presence of clear nasal discharge in the early stages of infection, which becomes a purulent green color as the disease progresses. There is also severe nasal congestion and swelling of the pharynx, accompanied by severe redness, the presence of mucus and a whitish coating.

Adenovirus often affects the bronchi, causing the patient to have a severe dry cough accompanied by wheezing. As the disease progresses, the cough becomes wet, and when coughing, a large amount of mucus and sputum is released.

The most common complications of adenovirus infection are pneumonia, sore throat, bronchitis, sinusitis (inflammation of the nasal mucosa), otitis (inflammation of the ear). However, with proper treatment of adenovirus infection, severe complications usually do not occur.

Since the risk of developing an adenovirus infection is highest in children, adult patients with adenovirus are rare and the manifestations of the disease in them are not as intense as in young patients. Adenoviral infection in adults at the initial stage is characterized by a runny nose and sore throat, then an increase in temperature to a maximum of 38 degrees and inflammation of the eyes of mild or moderate intensity may be observed.

Diagnosis of adenoviral infection is made based on a combination of symptoms of the disease and the characteristics of its course and regular examination of the patient by a doctor. Laboratory tests do not help identify adenovirus, since a blood test for this disease often contains normal values.

Types of adenovirus infection

Depending on the course of the disease and the dominant symptoms, there are mild, moderate and severe forms of adenoviral infection. Let's look at the most common forms of adenovirus infection and their main symptoms.

Pharyngoconjunctival fever– this type of adenovirus disease is characterized by a long period of high body temperature and severe inflammation of the respiratory system. A feature of this fever is temperature fluctuations - it can drop sharply and rise again within a few days. The liver and spleen may become enlarged. The disease lasts on average about 10-14 days.

Tonsillopharyngitis– this type of adenoviral infection is accompanied by lesions of the pharynx and oral cavity, the presence of abundant whitish plaque on the walls of the pharynx, and sore throat. Often, a sore throat develops against the background of adenovirus disease. There is an increase in tonsils and lymph nodes.

Mesenteric lymphadenitis- the danger of this type of adenoviral infection lies in the similarity of its symptoms with an attack of appendicitis: the patient complains of acute and severe pain in the abdomen. There is an increase in temperature, nausea with vomiting. A distinctive feature of adenovirus in this case is enlarged intestinal lymph nodes.

Qatar of the upper respiratory tract characterized by elevated body temperature for about 4 days, a mild degree of intoxication, as well as rhinitis or bronchitis.

Keratoconjunctivitis It is less common than the above-described forms of adenoviral infection and is an acute inflammation of the eyelid and cornea. The main symptoms of this type of adenovirus infection are severe pain in the eyes and head, and high fever. The cornea of the eye becomes covered with small white dotted formations and becomes cloudy.

Adenoviral infection during pregnancy

The body of the expectant mother needs effective protection from pathogenic bacteria and viruses, since even diseases that are harmless to an adult can cause irreparable harm to the developing fetus. Adenoviral infection in pregnant women can lead to serious complications (pneumonia, bronchitis, otitis media), which pose a threat to the health of the unborn child, and therefore requires immediate treatment. During the first trimester of pregnancy, adenovirus can also cause miscarriage.

Symptoms of adenovirus disease during pregnancy are primarily symptoms of ARVI (sore throat, runny nose, headache), enlarged liver and spleen, as well as allergic reactions on the skin in the form of rash, hives, and inflammation of the eyes. If such signs are present, the expectant mother should immediately consult a doctor, since the consequences of an adenovirus infection can affect the health of the mother and child.

Proper treatment should not cause complications

Treatment of adenovirus infection

After diagnosing the symptoms of adenovirus and making a diagnosis, the question arises: how to effectively and quickly cure an adenovirus infection?

The fight against adenovirus infection combines both means to destroy the pathogen in the body and to relieve painful symptoms of specific organs.

Treatment of adenovirus is effectively facilitated by both pharmacological drugs and folk remedies.

Treatment of adenovirus infection in children

A child's fragile body reacts painfully to any form of adenoviral infection, so it is important to start treatment on time to exclude the possibility of serious complications after the disease. The youngest patients cannot accurately describe their sensations and symptoms, so consultation with a specialist is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis. There are both general recommendations for the treatment of adenovirus infection and specific medications.

Treatment of adenoviral infection in children in most cases takes place at home, however, in the presence of severe forms of the disease or associated complications, the patient requires hospitalization (especially if pneumonia is suspected). A quick recovery will be ensured if the child strictly adheres to bed rest: the patient must remain in bed for another three days after the body temperature has returned to normal. Even after complete recovery, it is necessary to protect the child from physical labor and activity for at least another week.

Antibiotics for adenovirus infection are used only in case of complications of the disease, in particular pneumonia. Treatment of adenovirus in most cases does not require heavy drugs. Further in our article we will present the most effective methods of treating adenovirus infection.

Since the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx becomes inflamed during an adenovirus infection, excessively dry air in the room irritates it and aggravates the painful symptoms. Therefore, the room in which the child is located must contain humidified air that is beneficial for the respiratory system; a room humidifier must be turned on regularly. An excellent remedy in the absence of a humidifier can be a basin of water placed in the room, or curtains sprinkled with water from a spray bottle.

The room where the child is located must be constantly cleaned, thoroughly wiping off dust, and also regularly ventilated.

With infectious diseases, the child’s appetite sharply worsens. If the patient refuses to eat or eats less than usual, you should not force him, as this can provoke an attack of vomiting and even greater depletion of the child’s body. The lack of food must be compensated by drinking plenty of warm drinks (tea, compote, jelly, milk), which also helps reduce the level of intoxication in the body. With a balanced, light diet and sufficient fluid, the symptoms of intoxication will gradually disappear, which will allow the child to normalize his diet without nausea and vomiting.

The temperature of children should be brought down only above 38 degrees

Since an increase in temperature is the body’s way of independently overcoming a pathogenic virus, it is worth bringing down the fever only if the child’s temperature is above 38 degrees. Temperature reduction during adenoviral infection in children should be done using proven drugs such as Paracetamol and Aspirin. Also, to safely reduce fever, wiping the body with alcohol or compresses is used. Cabbage leaves are an excellent natural antipyretic: after washing thoroughly in cool water, they should be placed on the forehead, chest and abdomen of the patient to safely cool the body.

If a child has developed conjunctivitis, then in addition to using medications, it is also necessary to protect the patient’s eyes from bright light and fatigue: during the illness, the child should not read independently, play computer games, or watch TV for long periods of time.

As for taking medications in the treatment of adenovirus infection, there are effective drugs suitable for both children and adults, which will be discussed later in our article.

Medicines against adenovirus infection

When treating the upper respiratory tract and eyes for adenovirus infection in children and adults, you can use medications recommended by domestic doctors. But it is worth noting that these pharmacological drugs can be replaced with natural and absolutely safe analogues from traditional medicine.

For intense and painful dry and wet cough, it is recommended to take Codelac or Gerbion. Instead, you can give the patient warm medicinal mineral water with a high alkali content or milk with the addition of soda (on the tip of a knife) and honey.

Levomycetin eye drops are used to treat conjunctivitis caused by adenoviral infection, but there is also a useful folk remedy - egg whites soaked in boiled water should be applied to the eyelids at night to relieve inflammation.

To relieve irritation of the patient's nasal mucosa and relieve congestion, it is recommended to use nasal drops such as Otrivin or Vibrocil. To cleanse the nasal mucosa, rinsing with water with the addition of a teaspoon of sea salt, which has an anti-inflammatory effect, is also suitable.

Treatment of adenovirus infection with folk remedies

Traditional medicine also offers proven methods of treating adenovirus infection using herbal components, which are not inferior to synthetic drugs in effectiveness, and in many cases are much safer and healthier than drugs. The following are the most effective folk recipes for treating adenovirus for children and adults.

Oat decoction– a medicinal drink that quickly fights adenovirus, helping to reduce the level of intoxication in the body. To prepare the decoction, you need to pour 300 grams of washed oats into a liter of boiled milk and cook the mixture for 45 minutes over low heat. Afterwards, strain the liquid and dissolve half a tablespoon of honey in it. The decoction should be drunk 5-6 times a day, several sips.

Turnip decoction– a useful remedy for all types of ARVI. 250 grams of turnips must be cooked for 20 minutes, stirring constantly. Afterwards, the mixture must be left for about 40 minutes and strained. You need to drink the decoction in the amount of half a glass for 5 days in the evening.

Egg yolk mixture– an indispensable remedy in the fight against adenovirus infection, as it coats the irritated mucous membrane of the pharynx and relieves inflammation. Three yolks must be mixed until smooth with three tablespoons of butter with the addition of honey and a teaspoon of flour. The mixture should be consumed 3 times a day, one tablespoon at a time.

Aloe infusion– to prepare a medicinal infusion, you need to grind 300 grams of washed aloe leaves, pour it into a glass or ceramic container, pour a glass of honey and a glass of red Cahors wine. This antibacterial agent must be infused in a dark place for about 10 days and taken a tablespoon 3 times a day during the period of illness.

Linden collection– an excellent remedy for increasing immunity and treating viruses. Prepare a collection of linden flowers and viburnum berries in the amount of one tablespoon of each component per half liter of just boiled water. After pouring boiling water over the collection, you need to leave it for about an hour and drink it warmed before going to bed, one glass at a time for 5 days.

Prevention of adenovirus infection

Since in medical practice vaccination against adenovirus infection is not carried out, prevention of adenovirus is similar to protective measures against all other acute respiratory viral infections.

During the cold season, when the risk of adenovirus infection is highest, you should avoid hypothermia and maintain your immunity by actively eating fruits, vegetables and honey.

If a child shows the first signs of an adenovirus infection, it is necessary to immediately isolate him from other children and take him to a doctor. A patient with adenovirus must observe strict bed rest, use separate dishes, bed linen and towels, which must be disinfected after use. For the most effective treatment of adenovirus infection, it is best to use medications in combination with folk remedies. Since the components of synthetic tablets, in addition to their therapeutic effect, tend to accumulate in the liver and can negatively affect the body’s microflora, when treating adenovirus infection, it is recommended to give preference to safe folk medicinal infusions and decoctions.

Adenovirus infection- an acute anthroponotic viral infection that affects the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, eyes, intestines, lymphoid tissue and occurs with moderate intoxication.

Human adenoviruses were first isolated by W. Rowe (1953) from the tonsils and adenoids of children, and then from patients with ARVI and atypical pneumonia with symptoms of conjunctivitis (Huebner R., Hilleman M., Trentin J. et al., 1954). Animal experiments have proven the oncogenic activity of adenoviruses (Trentin J. et al., Huebner R. et al., 1962).

What provokes / Causes of Adenovirus infection:

Pathogens- DNA genomic viruses of the Mastadenovirus genus of the Adenoviridae family. Currently, about 100 virus serovars are known, more than 40 of them have been isolated from humans. Adenovirus serovars differ sharply in epidemiological characteristics. Serovars 1, 2 and 5 cause lesions of the respiratory tract and intestines in young children with long-term persistence in the tonsils and adenoids, serovars 4, 7, 14 and 21 cause ARVI in adults. Serovar 3 causes the development of acute pharyngoconjunctival fever in older children and adults, and several serovars cause epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. Disease outbreaks are most often caused by types 3, 4, 7, 14 and 21.

Based on their ability to agglutinate red blood cells, adenoviruses are divided into 4 subgroups (I-IV). Adenoviruses are stable in the external environment, persist for up to 2 weeks at room temperature, but die from exposure to ultraviolet rays and chlorine-containing drugs. They tolerate freezing well. In water at 4 °C they remain viable for 2 years.

Reservoir and source of infection- a person, a patient or a carrier. The pathogen is excreted from the body with secretions from the upper respiratory tract until the 25th day of illness and for more than 1.5 months - with feces.

Mechanism of transmission of infection- aerosol (with droplets of saliva and mucus), the fecal-oral (alimentary) route of infection is also possible. In some cases, transmission of the pathogen occurs through contaminated environmental objects.

Natural receptivity people are high. The transferred disease leaves type-specific immunity, and recurrent diseases are possible.

Main epidemiological features. Adenovirus infection is widespread, accounting for 5-10% of all viral diseases. The incidence is recorded throughout the year with an increase in cold weather. Adenoviral diseases are observed both in the form of sporadic cases and in the form of epidemic outbreaks. Epidemic types of viruses (especially 14 and 21) cause large outbreaks of disease among adults and children. Adenoviral hemorrhagic conjunctivitis most often occurs when infected with virus types 3, 4 and 7. The development of cases of conjunctivitis is associated with a previous respiratory adenoviral infection or is the result of infection with the virus through water in swimming pools or open reservoirs. Young children and military personnel are more often affected. The incidence is especially high in newly formed groups of children and adults (in the first 2-3 months); The disease proceeds like ARVI. In some cases, nosocomial infection is possible during various medical procedures. The disease in newborns and young children occurs as keratoconjunctivitis or damage to the lower respiratory tract. Rare adenoviral lesions include meningoencephalitis and hemorrhagic cystitis, which are more often detected in older children.

ARVI, including influenza, constitute a complex of related infections, so the process of spreading these infections is a single balanced system. Currently, about 170 types of pathogens are known that cause influenza-like diseases, and even during an epidemic, influenza accounts for no more than 25-27% of all acute respiratory viral infections.

Pathogenesis (what happens?) during Adenovirus infection:

During aerosol infection, the pathogen enters the human body through the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and spreads through the bronchi to their lower sections. The entry points for infection can be the mucous membranes of the eyes, as well as the intestines, where the virus enters when swallowing mucus from the upper respiratory tract. The virus is localized in the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract and small intestine, where it multiplies. In the affected areas, an inflammatory reaction develops, accompanied by dilation of the capillaries of the mucous membrane, hyperplasia of the submucosal tissue with infiltration of mononuclear leukocytes and sometimes hemorrhages in it, which is clinically manifested by sore throat, pharyngitis, conjunctivitis (often membranous in nature), and diarrhea. Sometimes keratoconjunctivitis develops with clouding of the cornea and blurred vision. By the lymphogenous route, the pathogen penetrates into regional lymph nodes, where hyperplasia of lymphoid tissue and accumulation of the virus occur during the incubation period of the disease. In the clinical picture, these mechanisms cause the development of peripheral lymphadenopathy and mesadenitis.

As a result of suppression of macrophage activity and increased tissue permeability, viremia subsequently develops with dissemination of the pathogen throughout various organs and systems. During this period, the virus penetrates vascular endothelial cells, damaging them. In this case, intoxication syndrome is often observed. Fixation of the virus by macrophages in the liver and spleen is accompanied by the development of changes in these organs with an increase in their size (hepatolienal syndrome). Viremia and reproduction of the pathogen in epithelial cells and lymphoid tissue can be prolonged.

Symptoms of Adenovirus infection:

Length of incubation period varies from 1 day to 2 weeks, most often 5-8 days. The disease begins acutely with the development of mild or moderate symptoms of intoxication: chills or chills, mild and intermittent headache, myalgia and arthralgia, lethargy, weakness, loss of appetite. From the 2-3rd day of illness, body temperature begins to rise, more often it remains subfebrile for 5-7 days, only sometimes reaching 38-39 ° C. In rare cases, epigastric pain and diarrhea may occur.

At the same time, symptoms of upper respiratory tract damage develop. Unlike influenza, moderate nasal congestion appears early with copious serous, and later serous-purulent, discharge. A sore throat and cough may occur. After 2-3 days from the onset of the disease, patients begin to complain of eye pain and excessive lacrimation.

When examining patients, one may notice facial hyperemia, scleral injection, and sometimes a papular rash on the skin. Conjunctivitis often develops with conjunctival hyperemia and mucous, but not purulent, discharge. In children of the first years of life and occasionally in adult patients, filmy formations may appear on the conjunctiva, and swelling of the eyelids increases. Possible damage to the cornea with the formation of infiltrates; when combined with catarrhal, purulent or membranous conjunctivitis, the process is usually initially unilateral. Infiltrates on the cornea resolve slowly, within 1-2 months.

Conjunctivitis can be combined with manifestations of pharyngitis (pharyngoconjunctival fever).

The mucous membrane of the soft palate and the posterior wall of the pharynx is slightly inflamed and may be granular and swollen. The follicles of the posterior pharyngeal wall are hypertrophied. The tonsils are enlarged, loosened, sometimes covered with easily removable loose whitish coatings of various shapes and sizes. They note enlargement and pain on palpation of the submandibular, often cervical and even axillary lymph nodes.

If the inflammatory process of the respiratory tract takes on a descending character, laryngitis and bronchitis may develop. Laryngitis is rarely observed in patients with adenovirus infection. It manifests itself as a sharp “barking” cough, increased pain in the throat, and hoarseness of the voice. In cases of bronchitis, the cough becomes more persistent, hard breathing and scattered dry wheezing in different parts are heard in the lungs.

Period of catarrhal phenomena can sometimes be complicated by the development of adenoviral pneumonia. It occurs 3-5 days after the onset of the disease; in children under 2-3 years of age it can begin suddenly. At the same time, the body temperature increases, the fever takes on an abnormal character and lasts for a long time (2-3 weeks). The cough becomes stronger, general weakness progresses, and shortness of breath occurs. The lips take on a cyanotic tint. When walking, shortness of breath increases, perspiration appears on the forehead, and cyanosis of the lips intensifies. According to radiological signs, pneumonia can be small-focal or confluent.

In young children in severe cases of viral pneumonia, a maculopapular rash, encephalitis, and foci of necrosis in the lungs, skin and brain are possible.

Pathological changes in the cardiovascular system develop only in rare, severe forms of the disease. Characterized by muffled heart sounds and soft systolic murmur at its apex.

Lesions in various parts of the respiratory tract can be combined with gastrointestinal disorders. Abdominal pain and intestinal dysfunction occur (diarrhea is especially common in young children). The liver and spleen enlarge.

Adenovirus infection most often affects children and middle-aged people. The disease lasts on average from several days to 1 week, but if the virus remains in the body for a long time, a recurrent course is possible, with the infection dragging on for 2-3 weeks.

Based on the predominance of certain symptoms and their combination, several forms of the disease are distinguished:
ARVI;
nasopharyngitis;
rhinopharyngotonsillitis;
nasopharyngobronchitis;
pharyngoconjunctivitis (pharyngoconjunctival fever);
conjunctivitis and keratoconjunctivitis;
pneumonia, etc.

Complications of adenovirus infection
The most typical are otitis media and purulent sinusitis, obstruction of the eustachian tube in children due to prolonged hypertrophy of lymphoid tissue in the pharynx, laryngospasm (false croup), secondary bacterial pneumonia, and kidney damage. The prognosis of the disease is usually favorable.

Diagnosis of Adenovirus infection:

Depending on the clinical form of adenoviral infection, differential diagnosis is carried out with influenza, the ARVI group, conjunctivitis and keratoconjunctivitis of various etiologies (including diphtheria), pneumonia, and tuberculosis.

Adenoviral infection is characterized by mild or moderate intoxication and polymorphism of clinical manifestations in the dynamics of the disease: symptoms of damage to the respiratory tract (pharyngitis, laryngitis, bronchitis), eyes (conjunctivitis, iritis), regional or widespread lymphadenopathy, sometimes exanthema, gastrointestinal disorders, hepatolienal syndrome .

Laboratory diagnosis of adenoviral infection
The hemogram during adenoviral infections does not have significant changes, with the exception of a slight increase in ESR. Virological studies based on the isolation of the virus from nasopharyngeal swabs, eye discharge during conjunctivitis (less often from feces) are complex and time-consuming; they are not used in widespread practice. Detection of serum antibodies is carried out using group-specific RSC and type-specific RTGA and RN. When performing these reactions with paired sera taken during the acute period of the disease and the period of convalescence, an increase in antibody titers of at least 4 times is considered diagnostically significant. ELISA with group antigen is also used. For approximate express diagnostics, you can use RIF and the method of immune electron microscopy.

Treatment of Adenovirus infection:

In uncomplicated cases of the disease, they are usually limited to local measures: eye drops are prescribed (0.05% deoxyribonuclease solution or 20-30% sodium sulfacyl solution). For purulent or membranous conjunctivitis and keratoconjunctivitis (excluding cases with corneal ulcerations!), 1% hydrocortisone or prednisolone ointment is placed behind the eyelid. Vitamins, antihistamines, and symptomatic medications are recommended.

Severe adenovirus infection requires increased detoxification therapy with intravenous administration of polyionic crystalloid and colloid solutions. Etiotropic drugs (broad-spectrum antibiotics) are prescribed for complications caused by secondary bacterial flora, as well as for elderly people suffering from chronic diseases of the respiratory system, and patients with manifestations of immunosuppression.

Prevention of Adenovirus infection:

In a number of countries, a live adenovirus vaccine is used for prevention in adult organized groups. Immunoprophylaxis has not been developed in Ukraine. The widespread use of live vaccines limits the prevailing opinion about the ability of adenoviruses to cause malignant cell transformations in humans. General sanitary and hygienic measures and chlorination of water in swimming pools are recommended. In the pre-epidemic period, it is recommended to limit communication; for weakened toddlers who are at risk of infection, the administration of specific immunoglobulin and leukocyte interferon is indicated.

Which doctors should you contact if you have an Adenovirus infection:

Is something bothering you? Do you want to know more detailed information about Adenovirus infection, its causes, symptoms, methods of treatment and prevention, the course of the disease and diet after it? Or do you need an inspection? You can make an appointment with a doctor– clinic Eurolab always at your service! The best doctors will examine you, study external signs and help you identify the disease by symptoms, advise you and provide the necessary assistance and make a diagnosis. you also can call a doctor at home. Clinic Eurolab open for you around the clock.

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