Introduction 

Adenovirus is a common type of virus which causes illnesses such as the common cold. Many medications are available to treat its symptoms without requiring a prescription, meaning its severity is often mild in most cases. Adenovirus symptoms can cause discomfort resulting in sleep disturbances. 

What is adenovirus?

Human adenoviruses are a group of viruses which cause illnesses such as:

• Common cold
• Pink eye
• Pneumonia 
• Acute bronchitis 
• Diarrhea
• Bladder infection or inflammation (less common)

The viruses most commonly infect the airways but can also infect the lungs, eyes, intestines, and urinary tract. Although the symptoms are usually mild and do not require urgent medical attention, they can be more serious in children or those with weaker immune systems.^1,2

Adenovirus: symptoms and impacts

49 types of adenovirus can affect humans with many being asymptomatic. Although it is not quoted to be a direct cause of sleep disturbances, the symptoms can cause stress, anxiety and discomfort which can sometimes lead to disrupted sleep, especially in young children.  

If you or your child has an adenovirus infection, sleep disturbances can be experienced. Using over-the-counter medications to alleviate symptoms, such as a sore throat or stuffy nose, can lead to improved sleep. If symptoms persist or sleep is hugely affected for a long period, contact your health care provider for advice. 

Sleep disturbances

Sleep is essential in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, with the recommendation being that adults should get 7 or more hours of sleep regularly.³ Sleeping less than the recommended amount has been associated with many adverse health outcomes such as obesity and weight gain, hypertension, heart disease and stroke, as well as mental health challenges.³

It is usually appropriate for young adults and teenagers to sleep more than 9 hours a night. 

There are 5 major types of sleep disorders which affect normal sleep:

• Insomnia – regular problems falling or staying asleep
• Sleep apnoea – when breathing stops and starts while asleep
• Hypersomnia – excessive daytime sleepiness 
• Circadian rhythm disorders – problems with the body's internal body clock 
• Parasomnia – disruptive movements, talking or emotions whilst asleep

Within these, there are over 80 different types of sleep disorders.⁴ Medication and other treatment options are available for many of these sleep disorders with help from a medical professional. 

General causes of sleep disturbances

Although anyone can experience sleep disturbances at some point, it is a more common problem for others. It is generally classified as any disturbance of the body’s natural sleep cycle and awake time, although, specific things can increase its chances of happening (depending on the type of sleep disturbance).

These may include:

• Mental health struggles such as anxiety or depression
• A medication side effect
• Genetic factors
• A symptom of another ongoing medical issue, such as heart disease or asthma 
• Working irregular shift-based work
• Excessive substance use, such as alcohol or caffeine

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. 

Living with sleep disturbances

There are many treatment options for sleep disturbances depending on the type of disturbance. If you think you are experiencing sleep disturbances contact your local healthcare provider. 

Some treatment options include:⁴

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• Changing medications or dosages 
• Altering your sleep schedule to promote proper sleep hygiene
• Light therapy

Consult a healthcare professional to find the best options for you.

Living with chronic sleep disturbances can affect your mental health causing irritation, stress and anxiety, especially if the condition causes tiredness during the day.

Adenovirus and sleep disturbances

Adenoviruses are, in most cases, very common and mild illnesses which do not require extensive medications unless the individual is very young or has a weaker immune system. 

Many of the symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose, fever or pink eye can cause discomfort in the patient. This may lead to disrupted sleep until the patient's symptoms alleviate; medications can be purchased for milder symptoms from a supermarket or pharmacy, but contact a healthcare provider for more advice. 

Sleep disturbance can also be caused as a side effect of any medication prescribed for adenovirus illnesses, so reducing dosage could help, but do not stop taking any medication without a doctor's approval. 

Being unwell can also cause mental health struggles, such as anxiety or stress, which can also contribute to sleep disturbances. If you believe this to be the case, contact your healthcare provider for more advice and potential treatment options.

Fever and disrupted sleep

Fever is a common symptom of adenovirus infection and causes much discomfort, especially when trying to sleep. 

There are some ways to alleviate symptoms for a better night's sleep:⁵

• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to deal with high temperatures
• Drink lots of fluids during the day to stay hydrated
• Avoid taking cold baths or showers while ill, especially before bed 
• Avoid alcohol or caffeine before bed as this can cause dehydration 
• Sleep with limited covering, use a thin sheet instead of a duvet 
• Try medications – Speak to a pharmacist or healthcare provider 
• Sleep in a cool environment

Summary

Adenoviruses are a common type of illness most affecting children or those with weaker immune systems. Adenoviruses commonly cause fever, pink eye, the common cold and sore throats, which all usually do not require urgent medical attention. No direct link has been reported between adenovirus and sleep disturbances, however, the symptoms and stress caused by physical illnesses such as adenoviruses can sometimes lead to disrupted sleep. It could also be a side effect of medication, so discuss this with your healthcare provider to see if this can be reduced or stopped. 

FAQs

How do adenoviruses spread?

Adenoviruses usually spread from an infected individual in a multitude of ways:

• Through the air (e.g., coughing or sneezing)
• Touching a surface with adenovirus on it then touching your mouth, nose or eyes without washing your hands first
• Personal contact e.g., handshakes 

How can I prevent catching an adenovirus?

As with many other respiratory illnesses, you can protect yourself and others from adenoviruses by following the simple steps:

• Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom
• Avoid touching your face (especially your eyes, nose and mouth) with unwashed hands
• Stay at home if you feel unwell to prevent spreading to at-risk individuals 
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow or tissues, not into your hands

If you have any concerns contact your healthcare provider for advice. 

How are sleep disturbances diagnosed?

The healthcare provider will diagnose your type of sleep disturbance following a physical exam, during which symptoms will be examined. Tests, such as blood tests and imaging tests, will help provide the examiner with a bigger picture of what could be happening. 

Sometimes, doctors will encourage you to keep a sleep diary in which you note down your sleeping habits. It is helpful to keep a few days before the initial appointment. This usually consists of noting down when you go to sleep, when you wake up, and when you wake up in the night. Technology like smartwatches can help determine when you fell asleep and woke up. 

Your healthcare provider can sometimes recommend a further visit to a sleep specialist who will perform a sleep study. This study is a test which records brain activity while you are asleep. Following this test they will determine whether or not you have a sleep disorder. 

How many hours of sleep does a healthy individual need?

Adults typically require 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. This does vary however by age, health, and other personal circumstances. 

Babies, children, teenagers and young adults typically require more sleep than this as they are still growing.