- Home
- Parents Home
- Allergy Center
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- A to Z Dictionary
- Emotions & Behavior
- First Aid & Safety
- Food Allergy Center
- General Health
- Growth & Development
- Flu Center
- Heart Health
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Diseases & Conditions
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Play & Learn Center
- School & Family Life
- Pregnancy Center
- Newborn Center
- Q&A
- Recipes
- Sports Medicine Center
- Doctors & Hospitals
- Videos
- Para Padres
- Home
- Kids Home
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Movies & More
- Diabetes Center
- Getting Help
- Feelings
- Puberty & Growing Up
- Health Problems of Grown-Ups
- Health Problems
- Homework Center
- How the Body Works
- Illnesses & Injuries
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Recipes & Cooking
- Staying Healthy
- Stay Safe Center
- Relax & Unwind Center
- Q&A
- Heart Center
- Videos
- Staying Safe
- Kids' Medical Dictionary
- Para Niños
- Home
- Teens Home
- Asthma Center
- Be Your Best Self Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- Diseases & Conditions
- Drugs & Alcohol
- Expert Answers (Q&A)
- Flu Center
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Managing Your Medical Care
- Managing Your Weight
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Recipes
- Safety & First Aid
- School & Work
- Sexual Health
- Sports Center
- Stress & Coping Center
- Videos
- Your Body
- Your Mind
- Para Adolescentes
Adenovirus
What Are Adenoviruses?
Adenoviruses are a group of viruses that can cause infections. Adenovirus (add-eh-noe-VY-rus) infections can happen in kids of any age, but are more common in babies and young children. Most kids have had at least one adenovirus infection before age 10.
There are many different types of adenoviruses, so people can get infected more than once. These viruses don’t have a “season” like other viruses (the flu, for example), so infections can happen at any time of the year.
What Illnesses Do Adenoviruses Cause in Kids?
Adenoviruses are common causes of fever and illnesses such as:
- colds
- pinkeye
- croup
- bronchiolitis
- pneumonia
- gastroenteritis
- bladder infection
- meningitis and encephalitis
Most infections are mild, but serious infections can happen, especially in infants and people with weak immune systems. Some types of the virus are linked to more severe disease.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Adenovirus?
The symptoms of adenovirus infections depend on the type of adenovirus and the part of the body affected. Symptoms similar to a common cold happen most often, such as a fever, sore throat; a congested, runny nose; and a cough.
Adenoviruses can also cause:
- eye redness and pain
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- belly pain
- frequent peeing, burning pain while peeing, blood in the urine
- headache
Is Adenovirus Contagious?
Adenovirus is highly contagious. Infections are common in close-contact settings, such as childcare centers, schools, hospitals, and summer camps.
Adenovirus can spread through droplets when someone with an infection coughs or sneezes. Fecal material (poop) can spread the infection via contaminated water, dirty diapers, and poor hand washing. Outbreaks of adenovirus at summer camps are linked to contaminated water in swimming pools and lakes.
A child might also pick up the virus by touching someone who has it. Adenoviruses can survive on surfaces for a long time. So they can spread on contaminated toys, towels, and other objects.
Symptoms usually start 2 days to 2 weeks after contact with adenovirus.
How Are Adenovirus Infections Diagnosed?
Adenovirus infection symptoms are a lot like those caused by other infections. Usually, tests aren’t needed if someone has mild symptoms. But if a person has a serious infection, doctors can test respiratory or conjunctival (eye) secretions, a stool sample, or a blood or urine sample to confirm the diagnosis.
Doctors will also test for adenovirus during suspected outbreaks. (An outbreak is when many people come down with the same symptoms.)
How Are Adenovirus Infections Treated?
Most adenovirus infections get better with treatment at home, including:
- getting plenty of rest
- drinking enough liquids
- giving acetaminophen if fevers are making your child uncomfortable
- using a humidifier or saltwater nose drops to help kids with congestion
Babies and children with vomiting and diarrhea who can't drink enough liquids may need treatment for dehydration.
Infants (especially newborns and premature babies), people with weak immune systems, and healthy children and adults with severe adenovirus infections may need antiviral medicine and treatment in a hospital that could include IV fluids, oxygen, and breathing treatments.
Does my child need an antibiotic?
Find out if antibiotic medicines will help your child feel better – or if some TLC is all that’s needed.
How Long Do Adenovirus Infections Last?
Most adenovirus infections last from a few days to a week or two. Severe infections may last longer and cause lingering symptoms, such as a cough.
Can Adenovirus Infections Be Prevented?
To help prevent the spread of adenovirus infections, parents and other caregivers should:
- make sure kids and caregivers wash their hands well and often
- keep shared surfaces (such as countertops and toys) clean
- keep kids with infections out of daycare and school until symptoms are gone
- teach kids to sneeze and cough into shirtsleeves or tissues — not their hands
When Should I Call the Doctor?
Call your doctor if your child is sick and:
- has a high fever or one that lasts more than a few days
- has breathing problems
- is under 3 months old or has a weak immune system
- has red eyes, eye pain, or a change in vision
- has severe diarrhea, vomiting, or signs of dehydration, such as peeing less or having fewer wet diapers, a dry mouth, sunken eyes, acting tired and listless
You know your child best. If they seem very ill, call your doctor right away.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995- The Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth® is a registered trademark of The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.
Images sourced by The Nemours Foundation and Getty Images.
Humana Healthy Horizons in Ohio
- Humana Healthy Horizons
- Humana Healthy Horizons Extras
- Member Support
- Care management
- Caregiver resources
- Child well-being
- Disease management
- Documents and forms
- Enrollment
- Grievances and appeals
- Health and wellness
- KidsHealth
- Member Handbook
- New Member Resources
- News and alerts
- OhioRISE Plan
- Pregnancy outcomes
- Tobacco cessation
- Why Humana
- Your primary care provider
- For Providers
- Contact us
- Accessibility
- Humana Healthy Horizons
- Humana Healthy Horizons Extras
- Member Support
- Care management
- Caregiver resources
- Child well-being
- Disease management
- Documents and forms
- Enrollment
- Grievances and appeals
- Health and wellness
- KidsHealth
- Member Handbook
- New Member Resources
- News and alerts
- OhioRISE Plan
- Pregnancy outcomes
- Tobacco cessation
- Why Humana
- Your primary care provider
- For Providers
- Contact us
- Accessibility