West Bengal is experiencing an increase in adenovirus infections, and hospital pediatric units are quickly becoming overcrowded. At least 30% of the samples sent to the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (ICMR-NICED) in Kolkata since January had contained viral traces. An alert has been issued to medical experts to closely monitor any prospective instances in order to control the spread of viral disease and treat the illness in the state.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the adenovirus can infect people of all ages and cause a mild sickness that resembles the flu or the common cold. Being touched, shaking hands, coughing, and sneezing into the air are the typical ways that this potentially fatal illness is spread from person to person.
What is Adenovirus
Adenoviruses are medium-sized, non-enveloped viruses that primarily cause the common cold or flu but can also cause a number of other illnesses. Researchers have identified over 50 distinct types of adenoviruses that can infect people. Infections can occur at any time of year, but they frequently peak in the winter.
Symptoms
Despite the rarity of significant sickness, Adenoviruses can lead to minor to serious diseases. When a person already has a respiratory or cardiac condition, their immune systems are already weakened, or they have both, adenovirus infections can result in catastrophic sickness, common cold, or flu-like symptoms, and other symptoms are mentioned below
- 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 (inflammation of the stomach or intestines causing diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain)
- Less common symptoms of adenovirus infection include
- Bladder inflammation or infection
- Neurologic disease (conditions that affect the brain and spinal cord)
Transmission
Adenoviruses are typically transmitted from one person to another through intimate personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands in the air, coughing and sneezing, contacting an infected object or surface, and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands.
Certain adenoviruses can be transferred through a person’s stool, such as when changing a baby’s diaper. Although less frequent, adenovirus can also spread through water, such as in swimming pools.
Prevention
Simple precautions can help you and others.
By taking a few easy precautions, you may safeguard both yourself and others from adenoviruses and other respiratory illnesses:
- Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
- Do not use unwashed hands to contact your mouth, nose, or eyes.
- Stay away from sick people’s close quarters.
If you’re ill, you can safeguard others:
- When you’re sick, stay at home.
- Instead of using your hands, cough, and sneeze into a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve.
- Avoid dining with others and sharing glasses.
- In particular, after using the restroom, wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
Treatments
Adenovirus infection patients do not have access to any licensed antiviral medications or specialized therapies. Most adenovirus infections are minor, so rest and over-the-counter painkillers or fever reducers can be used to treat symptoms. Use drugs as instructed and always read the label.
If you have concerns, you should speak with your healthcare provider.
(The IBC NewsTV team may have changed just the report’s headline and cover image; the remaining text was created automatically from a syndicated feed.)