IF you have a toddler or preschooler at home, you'll understand how quickly young children can fall ill.
They could be racing around the house, full of energy and the very next day come down with a fever.
Viral infections happen quite often in children, and adenoviruses are a common group of viruses that typically infect the lining of the eyes, airways and lungs, as well as the intestines, urinary tract and nervous system.
Most children would have had one form of adenovirus infection by the age of 10, says Pantai Hospital Cheras paediatrician Dr Wong Chee Yeng.
These infections are common in places where large groups of children gather, such as at daycare centres, kindergartens and camps.
Adults can also be infected by children or if they work with groups of children.
Infections are transmitted via droplets from coughing and sneezing, or if the child comes into close contact with an infected person or touches surfaces contaminated by the secretions or touch of the infected person.
The virus can stay on surfaces for many hours. Intestinal infections can also happen via the faecal-oral route, usually from poor hand washing or from the ingestion of contaminated food or water.
"Each type of adenovirus infection can affect you differently. Most infections are mild," says Dr Wong.
Most of the time, adenoviruses produce influenza-like symptoms such as coughing, a runny nose and fever. It is usually difficult to differentiate between the two viruses clinically, as they are similar symptomatically.
The only reliable way to differentiate is via a nasal swab test.
There is no cure for adenovirus infections. As it is a viral infection, antibiotics are not effective either. If the child is infected, treatment is supportive and focused on relieving symptoms.
For respiratory infections, treatment may include oral rehydration, the use of bronchodilator medications, and supplemental oxygen. Gastrointestinal infections also involve the use of oral rehydration and, if necessary, intravenous fluids to rehydrate the child.
"Usually, adenoviral infections are mild, and the child will recover within a week," says Dr Wong.
Unfortunately, children with a weak immune system may get more severe infections and may need to be hospitalised. Hospitalisations are also necessary if the child has difficulty breathing, has rapid breathing, or has noisy breathing indicative of airway obstruction.
The child may also need to be admitted if there are signs of dehydration, a persistent fever or if he or she is lethargic.
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THOSE with respiratory infections may develop symptoms two to 14 days after exposure.
Symptoms include:
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Severe cough
• Red eyes
• Headache
• Runny nose
Children with gastrointestinal infections may exhibit symptoms one to two days after exposure, and this is commonly seen in children younger than 5 years.
Symptoms include:
• Fever
• Abdominal pain and tenderness
• Vomiting
• Severe profuse diarrhoea