Warning Signs Of Adenoviruses

October 24, 2023

Adenoviruses refer to a group of infections that can get into the tissue linings of the respiratory tract, urinary tract, intestines, eyes, and nervous system. They're responsible for about a tenth of acute respiratory infections and other high-temperature sicknesses, as well as diarrhea. It's more common for this type of virus to infect young children and infants rather than adults. They can happen at any time, but respiratory problems are more common in the late winter to early summer, and pink eye affects older kids more often than younger. Just about everyone has had an adenoviral infection before they have turned ten years old. Because there are different types, it is entirely possible to get such an infection multiple times.

Pink Eye

Also known as viral conjunctivitis, pink eye is a very contagious infection for which adenovirus is usually to blame. Symptoms of a conjunctivitis infection include watery discharge, photophobia, and general irritation in the area. The doctor will take a viral vulture or perform other immunodiagnostic tests to make their diagnosis. It is common for this condition to accompany other systemic viral infections, such as mumps, rubella, and chickenpox, or it may accompany the common cold. When adenovirus or systemic viruses aren't to blame, it could be due to enteroviruses. In extreme cases of adenoviral infection, patients may experience foreign body sensation and chemosis, as well as blurry vision. Even once the infection has gone away, there can be noticeable effects for up to two years, such as residual corneal opacities that can result in starbursts, halos, and reduced vision. In most cases, these side effects will subside over time; you will want to speak to your doctor if they do not.

Uncover the next adenovirus warning sign now.

Bronchitis

When the lining of the bronchial tubes, which are responsible for transporting the air to and from the lungs, becomes inflamed, it is known as bronchitis. Individuals who suffer from a bronchial infection will typically cough up discolored, thickened mucus. The infection can be classified either as acute or chronic. The acute version is actually quite common, due to the result of a respiratory infection like adenovirus or the common cold. Also known as a chest cold, the acute infection can also cause body aches, a mild headache, and other symptoms of the common cold, but it usually resolves within ten days without long-term side effects other than a mild cough. A chronic bronchial infection, on the other hand, occurs from activities like smoking, which constantly irritate the tubes and cause them to become inflamed on a regular basis, and this requires a doctor; it's a condition that can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. You'll experience periods of worsened symptoms, and may even develop secondary acute infections at the same time as your chronic infection.

Learn more about the signs of adenoviruses now.

Stomach And Intestinal Inflammation

Just about everyone gets a bellyache from time to time, but you may experience awful stomach pain that makes you tired and can make you feel like vomiting. This could be a symptom of irritable bowel disease, or stomach and intestinal inflammation as a result of an adenovirus. If you experience inflamed intestines on a regular basis or beyond the adenoviral infection period, then it is a sign the pain is more related to chronic irritable bowel syndrome than the adenoviral infection. The two kinds of irritable bowel syndrome are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. In both cases, you experience inflammation in the intestines and sometimes ulcers, which break down the lining of the intestines and can cause bleeding. The most common symptoms of this condition include diarrhea, belly pain, weight loss, reduced energy, high internal temperature, and bleeding. You may also start to experience additional symptoms like eye problems, joint pain, rashes, liver problems, and arthritis.

Reveal another warning sign of adenoviruses now.

A Sore Throat

When you experience scratchiness, pain, or other irritations of the throat that becomes more painful upon swallowing, you are experiencing pharyngitis or a sore throat. Cold and flu are the two most likely causes, though an adenovirus is also possible. Fortunately, the soreness will typically resolve once the virus goes away. Strep throat is a less common version of pharyngitis, but it is caused by a bacteria rather than a virus; in this situation, you will need to undergo treatment to stop further health problems. If something more serious causes the pharyngitis, treatment may get more complicated. The symptoms to watch out for will depend on what is causing the irritation in the first place, such as difficulty swallowing, sore and swollen glands in the jaw or neck, a hoarse or muffled voice, pain that worsens when swallowing, scratchiness in the throat, swollen and red tonsils, white patches on the tonsils, and pus on the tonsils. Also look out for high internal temperature, sneezing, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, headache, or body aches. Be sure to talk to a doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms.

Reveal another potential warning sign of adenoviruses now.

Fever

Fever refers to a higher-than-normal body temperature, usually caused by an infection of some kind. Experiencing this temporary increase in internal temperature is a sure sign your immune system is fighting something off. For adults, this is usually not a cause for concern despite the discomfort, until the temperature rises to 103 degrees Fahrenheit or worse. For toddlers and infants, on the other hand, even a slightly elevated temperature may be a serious problem.

In most cases, high body temperature will go away on its own in a few days, and it's often best left untreated; there seems to be an essential aspect to feverishness concerning fighting off adenovirus and other infections. To check a child's temperature, use an ear, forehead, oral, or rectal thermometer. Oral thermometers can also be used in the armpit if needed, but it is not the most accurate method. Allow at least five minutes for the thermometer to pick up the armpit's temperature, as it runs colder than an oral reading.

Keep reading to uncover more symptoms of adenoviruses now.

Bladder Infections Or Inflammation

While most of the symptoms related to adenoviruses involve respiratory issues like coughing and a runny nose, there's also a chance individuals will develop bladder infections or inflammation as a result of this virus, which should indicate treatment is necessary. These infections or inflammation can develop anywhere within the urinary system, which includes the bladder, kidneys, and urethra. Keep in mind children under five years old are most likely to suffer from such infections because of adenoviruses. While these infections can cause an ample amount of pain, they are also typically easy to treat. As for bladder inflammation, the inflammation will typically start one to two days following exposure to the adenovirus. If antibiotics are taken for the inflammation or infection, patients should be able to get rid of these symptoms completely in anywhere from seven to ten days.

Discover more warning signs of adenoviruses now.

Runny Nose

For children and adults alike who begin to suffer from an adenovirus, most of the warning signs will occur within the respiratory system. Likely the most common warning sign of this virus is a runny nose, which may make individuals think they're suffering from a cold or the flu. Everything from infections to irritants can cause someone to develop this symptom, which is why it's possible it's not an adenovirus. This warning sign occurs because of excess drainage from the nose, which can appear as a clear fluid or very thick mucus. The drainage could also go down the back of the throat. In many cases, this symptom will also be accompanied by congestion. Since adenoviruses are able to cause a common cold, it's likely the congestion is tied to a cold as a result of this virus.

Learn more about adenovirus symptoms now.

Pneumonia

Among the most severe warning signs of adenoviruses is pneumonia, a serious infection that causes the air sacs within either one or both of the lungs to become inflamed. When this inflammation occurs, the air sacs may fill up with pus or fluid, which can lead to more health issues. The most common symptoms include coughing, chills, a fever, and difficulties with breathing. While a case of this infection can be mild in nature and may dissipate in a couple of days, there's also a chance the infection will be life-threatening. Pneumonia is usually at its most severe for younger children as well as individuals older than sixty-five. If an individual's immune system has recently been weakened for some reason, they may be more susceptible to suffering from additional health issues as a result of this infection. The symptoms attributed to this condition are very similar to those of a cold or the flu. The main difference is pneumonia will last for much longer than the others. Along with the standard symptoms of this infection, some of the more long-term complications include bacteria getting into the bloodstream and causing organ failure, a lung abscess, and fluid buildup around the lungs.

Read more about the symptoms of adenoviruses now.

Severe Coughing

Another common sign of an adenovirus infection that has caused respiratory issues is severe coughing. When an irritant enters an individual's airways or throat, the nerves stimulated by the irritant will send a type of message to the brain that triggers a bodily response wherein the muscles in their abdomen and chest push air out of their lungs to get rid of the irritant. When affected by an adenovirus, the coughing will persist until the virus has passed through their system. In order to mitigate the issues and lessen the frequency of coughing while affected by the virus, it's recommended for individuals to sip water regularly and take cough drops whenever possible. This symptom can develop anywhere from two days to two weeks after exposure to the virus. Because this is a virus, antibiotics won't be effective at getting rid of the symptom.

Learn more about warning signs linked to adenoviruses now.

Swollen Lymph Nodes

Swollen lymph nodes regularly occur as the result of certain bacteria or because of a virus such as an adenovirus. The lymph nodes, important glands in the body, are designed to ward off infections. If these nodes become swollen, this is a signal someone may be suffering from a viral infection. The swollen nodes individuals suffer from primarily develop underneath their chin, around their neck, around their groin, or in their armpits. The main symptoms associated with swollen lymph nodes include pain and discomfort, a fever, a sore throat, and night sweats. In general, patients can expect to go through the standard symptoms of an upper respiratory infection if their lymph nodes become swollen. While these lymph nodes should heal on their own, there is a small chance patients will develop a complication as a result of the swelling, which could include a bloodstream infection or the formation of an abscess.

MORE FROM HealthPrep