A live adenovirus vaccine to protect against types 4 and 7 adenoviruses has been used in some military personnel. Rates of adenovirus disease fell among military recruits following the introduction a live oral vaccine against types 4 and 7. Stocks of the vaccine ran out in 1999 and rates of disease increased until 2011 when the vaccine was re-introduced. Treatment
Treatment is generally symptomatic and supportive. Medicines to ease pain and reduce fever can be bought over the counter. For adenoviral conjunctivitis, a cold compress and lubricants may provide some relief of discomfort. Steroid eye drops may be required if the cornea is involved. Most adenovirus infections get better without any treatment. Prognosis
After recovery from adenovirus infection, the virus can be carried for weeks or months.Adenovirus can cause severe necrotizing pneumonia in which all or part of a lung has increased translucency radiographically, which is called Swyer-James Syndrome. Severe adenovirus pneumonia also may result in bronchiolitis obliterans, a subacute inflammatory process in which the small airways are replaced by scar tissue, resulting in a reduction in lung volume and lung compliance. Epidemiology
Adenovirus infections occur sporadically throughout the year, and outbreaks can occur particularly in winter and spring. Epidemics may spread more quickly in closed populations such as in hospitals, nurseries, long-term care facilities, boarding schools, orphanages and swimming pools. Severe disease is rare in people who are usually healthy. Around 10% of respiratory infections in children are caused by adenoviruses.
Adenovirus infection may result in symptoms of myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy, and pericarditis. Other signs and symptoms depend on other complications such as dark urine, itching and jaundice in hepatitis, generally in people who have a weakened immune system. Adenovirus is a rare cause of urethritis in men, when it may present with burning on passing urine associated with red eyes and feeling unwell. Cause and mechanism
Adenovirus infection in humans are generally caused by Adenoviruses types B, C, E and F.Although epidemiologic characteristics of the adenoviruses vary by type, all are transmitted by direct contact, fecal-oral transmission, and occasionally waterborne transmission. Some types are capable of establishing persistent asymptomatic infections in tonsils, adenoids, and intestines of infected hosts, and shedding can occur for months or years. Some adenoviruses (e.g., serotypes 1, 2, 5, and 6) have been shown to be endemic in parts of the world where they have been studied, and infection is usually acquired during childhood. Other types cause sporadic infection and occasional outbreaks; for example, epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is associated with adenovirus serotypes 8, 19, and 37. Epidemics of febrile disease with conjunctivitis are associated with waterborne transmission of some adenovirus types, often centering on inadequately chlorinated swimming pools and small lakes. ARD is most often associated with adenovirus types 4 and 7 in the United States. Enteric adenoviruses 40 and 41 cause gastroenteritis, usually in children.