How Is Adenovirus Treated In Adults?

Overview

Adenoviruses are a group of common viruses that cause infections throughout the body but most commonly affect the respiratory system. The severity of infections varies but most adenovirus infections are mild with treatment focusing mainly on symptom relief. Adenoviruses cause cold-like or flu-like symptoms, such as a cough, high temperature, chest cold, and runny nose. Over-the-counter medications like pain relief, decongestants, and cough remedies can ease symptoms. Additionally, there are home treatments which can soothe symptoms. These include drinking lots of fluids, having hot honey and lemon, gargling warm, salty water, and getting plenty of rest. Adenovirus infections are commonly mild so you can generally manage symptoms at home. 

What are adenoviruses?

Adenoviruses can cause a range of infections which have cold or flu-like symptoms. Infections can vary from mild to severe but cases of more serious illness are rare. The infections can affect any part of the body but commonly affect the respiratory system, conjunctiva or gastrointestinal tract.¹ Rarer manifestations of adenovirus infections include:²

• Hepatitis
• Pancreatitis
• Nephritis
• Haemorrhagic cystitis
• Haemorrhagic colitis
• Meningoencephalitis

Prevalence of adenovirus in adults

Adenovirus is more common in children because of a lack of humoral immunity but can occur in adults.³ Adults who are immunocompromised are more susceptible to adenovirus.⁴ Typically, adults who experience adenovirus infections are in closed or crowded spaces, for example, it has been seen to spread among military recruits.⁵

Symptoms of adenovirus

The symptoms of adenovirus vary depending on the part of the body that is infected. 

Symptoms of adenovirus in the respiratory system

An adenovirus infection of the respiratory system can give flu-like symptoms. 

Symptoms can include:

• Cough
• Runny nose 
• High temperature
• Sore throat
• Conjunctivitis 
• Chest cold (acute bronchitis) 
• Pneumonia 
• Ear infection
• Swollen lymph nodes

Symptoms of adenovirus in the gastrointestinal tract 

Symptoms of adenovirus infections of the gastrointestinal tract include:

• Diarrhoea 
• Gastroenteritis 
• Stomach pain
• Nausea 
• Vomiting

Symptoms of adenovirus in other parts of the body

More rare adenovirus infections can affect the bladder or nervous system. Viruses in the bladder can lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs). Viruses in the nervous system can cause conditions that affect the brain, including meningitis and encephalitis. 

How is adenovirus diagnosed?

In cases of mild adenovirus infections, it is not necessary to see a healthcare provider. This is because individuals can generally manage their symptoms. When symptoms are severe, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider. 

Laboratory tests for adenovirus

Laboratory tests can be performed to confirm whether the illness is adenovirus. One method is taking a swab sample from the nose and sending off the sample to be examined. Alternatively, a mucus sample can be examined. However, these tests are not commonly performed. 

Treatment of adenovirus 

Currently, there are no specific treatments for adenovirus infections. However, most infections are mild so they only require treatment to help relieve symptoms. The symptoms of adenovirus can affect daily life and can cause discomfort. 

In cases with severe symptoms, medical advice should be sought. Individuals with severe symptoms may be hospitalised to receive antiviral medicine. 

Current research focuses on creating a specific treatment for adenoviruses.⁶  This is an encouraging sign that, in the future, there may be medicines available that specifically treat adenovirus infections. 

Pain and fever relief 

Pain caused by adenovirus can be treated by over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. These medications can also help with discomfort caused by having a high temperature (fever). Stomach pain caused by adenovirus infection of the gastrointestinal tract may be eased by placing a hot water bottle on the painful area. 

Clearing congestion

As adenovirus typically causes cold-like symptoms, it can cause individuals to experience nasal congestion. This can be uncomfortable and cause trouble breathing through the nose. Decongestants are a type of medication that helps to ease nasal congestion. They help open the airways by reducing the swelling of the blood vessels in your nose. This makes your nose feel less blocked, making it easier to breathe through the nose. Decongestants come in the form of:

• Nasal sprays
• Nasal drops
• Tablets or capsules
• Liquids or syrups
• Flavoured powders to dissolve in hot water

These can be purchased over-the-counter but are not safe for everyone, so it is best to get advice on suitability from a pharmacist or GP. 

If decongestants are unsuitable for an individual, other methods of aiding a stuffy nose include:

• Using a humidifier
• Taking long showers
• Drinking lots of fluids
• Breathing in steam from a bowl of warm water

Sore throat treatment 

Sore throats can cause great discomfort and make eating uncomfortable. Over-the-counter pain relief such as medicated throat lozenges may help. It is important to read the ingredients/ instructions if taking other forms of pain relief as some may contain ingredients which can increase/decrease their medicinal effect. 

There are methods to treat a sore throat without taking pain relief. These include:

• Drinking plenty of water
• Avoiding smoking or smoky places
• Gargling warm, salty water
• Resting
• Sucking ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets

Cough treatment 

Coughs can be symptoms of adenovirus infection. It is important to get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids when you have a cough. A traditional home remedy for a cough is drinking hot lemon and honey. A pharmacist can recommend other treatments to help ease a cough. These may include:

• Cough syrup
• Cough medicine
• Cough sweets

Summary

Adenovirus infections commonly affect the respiratory system or the gastrointestinal tract. They are more common in children but can occur in adults, particularly, when the adults have been in crowded spaces or are immunocompromised. Adenovirus infections in the respiratory system cause flu-like symptoms. In general, symptoms are mild and do not require diagnosis. There are no specific treatments for adenovirus infections so treatment aims to relieve symptoms. This includes taking pain relief to ease discomfort and high temperatures. Other treatments include taking decongestants, cough remedies, resting, and high fluid intake. Individuals with severe symptoms should seek advice from medical professionals. 

FAQs

How long does adenovirus usually last in adults?

Symptoms of adenovirus can last anywhere between a few days to two weeks. If the infection is severe, it may last longer than two weeks. 

Should adults go to the hospital for adenovirus?

Adenovirus symptoms tend to be mild so there is no need for the majority of adults with adenovirus to go to hospital. Hospitalisation might be required when symptoms are severe. Examples of severe symptoms may be extreme discomfort, difficulty breathing or a high temperature for several days. 

How to get rid of adenovirus in adults?

There are no specific treatments for adenovirus. The current advice is to manage your symptoms with over-the-counter pain medicines, rest, and drinking fluids. The infection can last up to two weeks but in some cases, individuals will feel better within a few days of being unwell. 

When does adenovirus cause a reason for concern?

Adenovirus tends to be a mild virus, with symptoms being cold- or flu-like. When symptoms are more severe, such as a very high temperature, difficulty breathing, or a high level of discomfort individuals should see a medical professional. 

Can you have adenovirus more than once?

Adenoviruses are a group of viral infections, this means when you overcome one type of adenovirus, your body builds immunity to that specific type. However, if you are infected with a different type of adenovirus, you do not have immunity against it. So, it is possible to become infected with adenovirus again. 

Are the symptoms of adenovirus worse than flu?

The symptoms of adenovirus are generally considered to be cold-like or flu-like. Most adult adenovirus infections are mild so they are considered milder than flu. However, in some cases, individuals with adenovirus present with severe symptoms – in these cases, symptoms may be worse than flu.