Context:
Four children died from respiratory infections at different hospitals in Kolkata in a span of 24 hours on Wednesday, amidst fears of an adenovirus outbreak.
Relevance:
GS II: Health
Dimensions of the Article:
- About Adenovirus
- Transmission modes
- Treatment
About Adenovirus
- Adenoviruses are a family of viruses that can cause a range of illnesses, including the common cold, fever, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, pink eye, and gastroenteritis.
- Most adenovirus infections are mild, but they can be more severe in people with weakened immune systems or existing respiratory or cardiac disease.
- Adenovirus infections can occur throughout the year, but they tend to peak in the winter and early spring.
- Children younger than 5 years old are most commonly affected, and people can get infected more than once due to the many different types of adenoviruses.
Transmission modes:
- Adenoviruses are highly contagious and can spread from an infected person to others through close contact, such as touching or shaking hands.
- The virus can also be transmitted through coughing and sneezing, which can spread infected particles.
- Fecal material can also spread the infection through contaminated water, dirty diapers, and poor hand hygiene.
Treatment:
- Currently, there is no specific treatment or approved antiviral medication for adenovirus infections.
- Treatment mainly involves managing the symptoms, which can include rest and taking over-the-counter medications for fever, cough, and sore throat. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary.
- Prevention through proper hand hygiene and avoiding close contact with infected individuals is crucial to control the spread of adenovirus infections.
-Source: The Hindu
