Adenoviruses are medium-sized (90–100 nm), nonenveloped viruses with an icosahedral nucleocapsid that contain a double-stranded DNA genome. Their name derives from their initial isolation from human adenoids in 1953. West Bengal has reported a sharp rise in adenovirus cases among children, with the virus being found in at least 32% of respiratory infection samples in children by ICMR-NICED. The report said that pediatric wards in government and private hospitals across the state are filling up fast due to children suffering from respiratory ailments, many of which are believed to be caused by adenovirus.
What is adenovirus?
Adenoviruses are a group of viruses that cause a variety of infections such as respiratory illness (colds), eye infections (such as pink eye), croup, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. In children, adenoviruses usually cause respiratory infections or infections of the digestive tract. The virus can affect a child of any age, from six-month-olds to those under five, as well as older children.
Symptoms of Adenovirus
According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), adenoviruses have several symptoms:
common cold or flu-like symptoms
Fever
sore throat
acute bronchitis (inflammation of the airways of the lungs, sometimes called a “chest cold”)
pneumonia (infection of the lungs)
pink eye (conjunctivitis)
Acute gastroenteritis (diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain due to inflammation of the stomach or intestines)
due to adenovirus
Adenoviruses are more common in children, but DeMuri says anyone can become infected. Like many other viruses, adenoviruses are spread by respiratory droplets and physical contact.
prevention of adenovirus
Try to keep your child away from anyone you know is sick.
Wash your child’s hands – and yours – often during the day, and especially before meals. If you don’t have soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
– Clean surfaces like sinks and counters to get rid of germs.
– Do not let them swim in pools that are not well maintained.
treatment of adenovirus
Antibiotics will not help with an adenovirus infection because these drugs only kill the bacteria. Children often get over the illness on their own within a few days. Some infections, such as pink eye or pneumonia, can last a week or more. There are no approved antiviral drugs and no specific treatment for people with adenovirus infection. But most adenovirus infections are mild and can be managed with rest and over-the-counter pain medications or fever reducers to help relieve symptoms.
adenovirus in west bengal
West Bengal has reported a sharp rise in adenovirus cases even as beds in pediatric care units in various hospitals are filling up rapidly. According to the report, 11 children have died in West Bengal due to fever, cold and difficulty in breathing. Now, for early detection and treatment of possible adenovirus cases, health professionals in Kolkata have been instructed to be more vigilant about flu-like symptoms in children.