Killer Cold Virus (Adenovirus Infection, Ad14) (cont.)
How is adenovirus infection spread?
Adenoviruses are spread like the common cold. The viruses can be spread from
person to person via coughing or sneezing. People may also become infected by
touching something with adenovirus on it and then touching their mouth, nose, or
eyes. For example, adenoviruses can be transferred to a doorknob when an
infected person sneezes into his/her hands and then touches the doorknob before
washing. Germs can also be spread if an infected person sneezes or coughs onto
tabletops or other items that might be touched by other people. To prevent the
spread of disease, it is important to
practice good health habits.
What steps can healthcare providers and people take to protect their health?
- People can protect themselves against all respiratory diseases by
washing
their hands, and they can protect others by covering their mouth when coughing
or sneezing.
- People should, whenever possible, take steps to prevent respiratory
infections. Such steps include vaccination and good health habits. At this time,
Ad14 should not be considered a concern to the general public. Other respiratory
infections, such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and bacterial
pneumonia, are other important causes of illness.
- Physicians should be aware that Ad14 can cause severe pneumonia and consider
it in the differential diagnosis if the cause of infection is unknown.
State and local health departments and health care providers should consider
Ad14 as a cause of outbreaks of pneumonia of unknown etiology.
- Clinicians and health officials should consider Ad14 as a possible cause of
severe pneumonia and of outbreaks of pneumonia for which the cause cannot
otherwise be determined.
- Clinicians should contact their state health departments for guidance on
testing patients with a serious illness that they suspect may be an Ad14
infection. Testing for generic adenoviruses should precede any testing for
specific serotypes, including Ad14.
- Health officials should be aware that Ad14 has been detected occasionally in
military bases since 2005. Adenovirus infections in the military have been a
concern for many years. Vaccines for the two adenoviruses most commonly causing
disease in the military, Ad4 and Ad7, were used until 1996, and new versions of
the vaccines are being studied in clinical trials for future use in the
military.
- Health departments should report unusual clusters of severe adenoviral
respiratory disease or cases of Ad14 to CDC.
- Clinicians and health officials should encourage people to follow good
infection-control and hygiene practices to help control the spread all
respiratory infections, including Ad14.
Next: Adenovirus Infection (Ad14) At A Glance »
- Childhood Vaccination Schedule - Read our printable children's immunization schedule and learn about vaccines for kids (Hib, polio, DTaP, MMR, HPV, flu, chickenpox, meningitis, rotavirus, pneumonia, hepatitis A and B).
- Pneumonia - Learn pneumonia symptoms, causes, treatment, signs, diagnosis and types: viral and bacterial (Pneumocystis carinii, Klebsiella, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia pneumoniae).
- Rash - Learn about rash causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Common skin rashes include poison ivy, hives, shingles, eczema, contact dermatitis, ringworm, psoriasis and impetigo.
Latest Medical News
|
|
 |
From WebMD
Cold and Flu Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
|
Infectious Disease RSS