What you need to know:
Nine children have died from complications associated with adenovirus in a Haskell, New Jersey healthcare facility over the last week. Adenovirus causes symptoms similar to influenza, including mild malaise, runny/stuffy nose, pharyngitis, and conjunctivitis. Diarrhea may also occur in children. Adenovirus is usually either clinically insignificant or self-limited and primarily affects military recruits, young children, and infants. When people with compromised immune systems develop adenovirus, there may be serious morbidity and mortality issues, as with the children who died in New Jersey over the last several days.
Adenovirus may be confused with influenza, so it is important to recognize differences in clinical symptoms, transmission modes, and associated incubation periods, as well as diagnostic tests, treatments, and preventive vaccines that are available.
Adenovirus versus Influenza
|
Adenovirus |
Influenza |
Symptoms |
Cold-like symptoms, pharyngitis, conjunctivitis, mild malaise, diarrhea in children; fever may be present; lower respiratory tract infection may occur |
Fever, chills, malaise, myalgias, headache, pharyngitis, cough, runny/stuffy nose, substernal tenderness |
Transmission |
Droplet, physical, and surface contact |
Primarily droplet contact |
Incubation Period |
4-9 days |
1-4 days |
Laboratory Tests |
Antigen detection assays (fluorescence assay, enzyme immunoassay), viral culture, PCR assays, multiplex nucleic acid amplification assays |
Rapid influenza nasal swab test |
Treatment |
Supportive management; cidofovir or ribavirin may be used in severe cases with immunocompromised patients |
Neuraminidase inhibitors may be administered within the first 48 hours of diagnosis; supportive management |
Calendar Time of Occurrence |
Occurs throughout the year |
Seasonal: fall - early spring |
Vaccine |
Available only for military recruits ages 17-50 |
Available for persons over 6 months of age |
Read more about adenovirus:
CURRENT Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2019: Chapter 32. Viral and Rickettsial Infections
Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 20e: Chapter 194. Common Viral Respiratory Infections
CURRENT Diagnosis and Treatment Pediatrics, 24e: Chapter 40. Infections: Viral and Rickettsial
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Adenoviruses
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