hand washing between the bathroom and the kitchen, eating food contaminated by houseflies, or poor hygiene after handling diapers.
A child might also pick up the virus by holding hands or sharing a toy with an infected person. Indirect transmission can occur through exposure to the contaminated surfaces of furniture and other objects.
The types of adenovirus causing conjunctivitis may be transmitted by water (in lakes and swimming pools), by sharing contaminated objects (such as towels or toys), or by touch.
Incubation
Once a child is exposed to adenovirus, symptoms can develop from 2 days to 2 weeks later.
Treatment
Adenoviral illnesses often resemble certain bacterial infections, which can be treated with antibiotics. But antibiotics don't work against viruses. To diagnose the true cause of the symptoms so that proper treatment can be prescribed, your child's doctor may want to test a sample of respiratory or conjunctival secretions, a stool specimen, or blood or urine sample - depending on what condition is being considered.
The doctor will decide on a course of action based on your child's condition. Adenoviral infections usually don't require hospitalization. However, infants and young children may not be able to drink enough fluids to replace what they lose during vomiting or diarrhea and may therefore need to be hospitalized to correct or prevent dehydration. Also, young - especially premature - infants with pneumonia usually need to be hospitalized.
In most cases, a child's body will get rid of the virus over time. Because antibiotics are of no use in treating a viral infection, you should simply try to make your child more comfortable.
If your child has a respiratory infection or fever, getting plenty of rest and taking in extra fluids is essential. A cool-mist humidifier (vaporizer) may help loosen congestion and make your child more comfortable. Be sure to clean and dry the humidifier thoroughly each day to prevent bacterial or mold contamination. If your child is under 6 months old, you may need to clear his or her nose with a bulb syringe.
Don't give any over-the-counter (OTC) cold remedies or cough medicines without checking with your child's doctor. You can use acetaminophen to treat a fever; however, do not give aspirin because of the risk of dehydration.
To relieve the symptoms of conjunctivitis, use warm compresses and a topical eye ointment or drops if your child's doctor recommends them.
Duration
Most adenoviral infections last from a few days to a week. Severe respiratory infections may last longer and cause lingering symptoms, such as a cough. Pneumonia can last anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. In cases of pharyngoconjunctival fever, sore throat and fever may disappear within a week, but conjunctivitis can persist for another several days to a week. The more severe keratoconjunctivitis can even last for several weeks. Adenovirus can also cause diarrhea that lasts up to 2 weeks, which is longer than other viral diarrheas.
Prevention
There's no way to completely prevent adenoviral infections in children. To reduce the risk of transmission, parents and other caregivers should encourage frequent hand washing, keep shared surfaces such as countertops and toys clean, and remove children with infections from group settings until symptoms subside.
When to Call Your Child's Doctor
Most of these adenoviral conditions and their symptoms are also associated with other causes. You should definitely call your child's doctor if:
- a fever continues more than a few days
- symptoms seem to get worse after a week
- your child has breathing problems
- your child is under 3 months old
- any swelling and redness around the eye becomes more severe or painful
- your child shows signs of dehydration, such as appearing tired or lacking energy, producing less urine or tears, or having a dry mouth or sunken eyes
Remember that you know your child best. If he or she appears to be severely ill, don't hesitate to call your child's doctor right away.
Reviewed by: