Adenoviruses are Different Than Cold and Flu Viruses

The flu can utterly devastate the body and leave you feeling wrung out, but it’s not the only winter illness to be concerned about. We all suffer from colds at some point, too. But then over here is this other thing that few know about. It turns out that adenoviruses are making people sick, too. Knowing the difference between these viruses, the flu, and the common cold may even help you stay healthier.

What Are Adenoviruses?

These viruses are microscopic, and there are 52 different strains of them—which is far fewer than strains of the flu. Late winter, early summer and springtime are the main times of year when adenovirus infections are on the rise, so that springtime "cold" might not be a cold after all—though they can occur any time of the year. Like other types of viruses, they get into the body through contact with the mucus membranes and can live on surfaces for some time so we not only breathe them in from others but we pick them up on our hands and then they get invited in via eyes and noses. If someone touches that surface and then touches their nose or rubs their eyes, they could end up contracting adenovirus. While this virus isn’t technically the same as a cold or the flu because the pathogen itself is different, most people who contract a strain of adenovirus don’t know the difference. And without testing, many medical professionals won’t, either.

What Kind of Symptoms Do Adenoviruses Have?

Adenoviruses can cause severe symptoms that are very similar to the flu. These include headache, body aches, fever, and a cough, along with breathing problems and stomach or digestive issues. There are a few strains of this virus that might also cause eye infections, which is an additional concern to look out for. Like a cold or the flu, some people will have more pronounced symptoms than others, and there will be people who only get some of the symptoms and not all of them. 

So it might seem as if it doesn't really matter that they even exist but here's what they helped us understand: you can get one and then the other. So you might catch a cold, then weeks later, in a weakened state from your cold, catch an adenovirus. This knowledge alone might help people to realize that they cannot rely on immunity to protect them. from the cold and flu even in the short term because what we think of as the "common cold" may not be that at all, and we can still catch the other even if we've had one already this year.

How Can Adenoviruses Be Avoided?

Frequent hand washing, making sure we aren’t touching our faces after touching other surfaces, and avoiding close contact with others who may be sick are all ways to help avoid this virus. So is staying out of large crowds, and being mindful of good hygiene. Even without a pandemic, social distancing in public can help to keep illness at bay. So maybe we can all carry a few good habits over from this trying year. Wash hands frequently, don't touch your face and stay away from the breathing spaces of other people.

There are also ways to lower your risk.

Is There a Vaccine for Adenoviruses?

There is a vaccine for at least some strains of adenovirus, but there’s a catch. The only people who are allowed to be vaccinated are members of the U.S. military, and that’s only for two different strains that are thought to be the most dangerous. The other strains aren’t vaccinated against, and even if civilians wanted to get vaccinated they wouldn’t be able to. So the goal needs to be prevention through good, healthy habits. Please also remember that the elderly are at particular risk of complications and we can all do our part to protect them through our own good habits.

When to See the Doctor for Adenovirus

As with any illness, adenoviruses can’t always be prevented. If someone contracts this illness and has a high fever or isn’t getting better, a trip to see a healthcare provider would be in order. There is no real treatment for adenovirus. In some cases, it’s necessary to go to the hospital to manage symptoms, such as fever or when it advances into other conditions such as pneumonia or bronchitis. Most adenovirus cases are mild, but that’s not true for everyone, and there can be serious health problems in some people.

Anyone who contracts a virus or other type of infection needs to take care of themselves and avoid spreading the germs. Eat healthy foods, rest, and get plenty of sleep to recover faster. Isolate at home to avoid being a spreader, and enjoy some extra time to read and sleep. Stay well and help others stay well, too.

Copyright 2020, Wellness.com