Adenovirus go away!

In the last three issues, we have introduced the etiology of adenovirus and the clinical manifestations of the respiratory system, digestive system and other systems caused by its infection. In this issue, we will tell you how to prevent adenovirus infection.

In the first issue of this series, we introduced the human adenovirus (HAdV), referred to as adenovirus, which belongs to the mammalian adenovirus genus of the human adenoviridae family, and is a non-enveloped double-stranded DNA virus. We already know that both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with adenovirus infection are the source of infection. The virus can be transmitted through droplets, contact, and fecal-oral transmission, and infants and young children are more likely to develop various symptoms after infection. So how to prevent it?

How to deal with sick children at home?

1 Droplet transmission is the most common mode of transmission of adenovirus, and it is highly contagious, and adults may also be infected. The ideal situation is that sick children and their families, especially caregivers, can wear masks, and open more windows in the home to maintain air circulation.

Contact is also an important route of transmission within households, so parents should pay attention to washing their hands after caring for sick children, before handling food, and caring for other children. Tableware and water cups used by sick children can be disinfected by boiling, and household necessities such as furniture, toys, and washbasins that have been touched can be soaked, sprayed or scrubbed with chlorine-containing disinfectant. In addition, considering that children are prone to symptoms and even serious illnesses after being infected with adenovirus, it is recommended that other children in the family share meals, toys, or even temporarily live apart from the sick child as much as possible.

How can ordinary children be prevented?

2. Try to avoid going to crowded places and avoid contact with people with fever and sickness as much as possible. Wearing a mask when taking children out, especially when taking public transportation or going to crowded places, is the most effective way to prevent droplet transmission of various pathogens. Because of their small faces, children should choose special masks for children instead of adult masks. Click to watch "Mask, are you wearing it right?" ".

Hand hygiene is the simplest and most effective measure to block the contact transmission of various pathogens. The most important thing to prevent adenovirus infection is to wash hands frequently and in a standardized manner. Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unclean hands. Try to wash your hands with running water or soapy water. Avoid sharing utensils, drinking glasses, towels, etc. with others as much as possible.

It is recommended that parents try not to take children under the age of 2 to public swimming pools, and choose a formal swimming place as much as possible; avoid swimming when they are unwell or injured, try to avoid rubbing their eyes with their hands, and wearing swimming goggles can reduce eye contact with pool water; Do not swallow pool water; wash your body and rinse your mouth promptly after swimming.

In addition, usually eat a reasonable diet, get enough rest, and exercise to enhance physical fitness.

Research progress of adenovirus vaccine

3 At present, there is relatively little attention and research on adenovirus vaccines in China. Only the United States has marketed live attenuated adenovirus vaccines globally. It has been used in the military, and its safety and effectiveness have been preliminarily verified. But it has not been approved for use in the general population or children.

Since there is no specific anti-adenovirus drug yet, it is expected that an adenovirus vaccine suitable for children will be successfully developed as soon as possible.

References

1. Expert Group for the Compilation and Review of Technical Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Human Adenovirus Respiratory Infections :10.3760/cma.j.issn.0253-9624.2019.11.004.

2. Xi Hualong, Gu Hanxue, Sun Bo, Gu Tiejun. Research progress of human adenovirus vaccine [J]. China Journal of Biologicals, 2021, 04:493-498.DOI: 10.13200/j.cnki.cjb. 003324

The Bioperfectus Enteric Adenovirus Real Time PCR Kit is an in vitro diagnostic test, based on real-time PCR technology, for the detection of DNA from the Enteric Adenovirus. Specimens can be obtained from human stool.