The Adenovirus Ad14 is a serovar of the adenovirus which, dissimilar from other known adenovirus serovars can cause fatal infections. According to the CDC as of April 2007 140 people have fallen victim to the Ad14 virus in New York, Oregon, Washington and Texas. Of these patients, 53 had to be hospitalized, and 24 were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The outbreak in all four states were isolated but the virus was identical based on DNA sequencing. Ad14 is a unusual up-and-coming virus that can cause acute respiratory infection, even in healthy young adults. The problem is that the recent virus outbreaks were different from the 1955 Ad14 reference strain. This implies that a new Ad14 modification is emerging and spreading in the United States.
The Adenovirus Ad14 is contagious like the cold virus. The virus can be transmitted from person to person by way of coughing or sneezing. Individuals can also become infected by touching an item or anything with the virus on it. If afterwards they touch their nose, eyes or mouth after coming in contact with the virus they can become infected. Ad-14 germs can also circulate if an infected person happens to sneeze or cough onto a chair or anything that may be touched or handled by other people such as grocery carts. That is why it is important to wash hands multiple times throughout the day and practice good health habits to ward off the virus. Covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing is imperative as this helps in protecting others from the virus. Vaccination is also another prevention method. Health care workers should be sure to wear gloves, wash their hands after and before every patient and cover their nose and mouths when treating patients suspected of having the virus.
Symptoms of the Adenovirus can be similar to those of influenza or common bacterial infections. Some symptoms can include respiratory illness like bronchitis,
diarrhea, conjunctivitis, colds, sore throat, fever, cystitis and rashes. If an individual is concerned about the seriousness of their illness they should check with their health care provider. It may be a good idea to consult with your doctor if you have an abnormally high fever or a fever that lasts more than a few days, shortness of breath or you do not feel as if you are starting to get better.
It has been noted by the CDC that the Adenovirus Ad14 is a mutated form of previous adenoviruses discovered in the 1950s. This was discovered in May of 2006 when the CDC was informed about the victims of Ad14. The virus is more dangerous and resilient to the medication formula developed in the 1950s to care for people with the adenovirus. The CDC is presently researching a new vaccine and medications for the Adenorivus Ad14. In addition, the CDC has demanded all state health departments and military services to give an account for any unusual groups of severe adenovirus Ad14 incidences.
It is important to note that, in the majority of persons the Adenovirus Ad14 shows no symptoms, therefore most infected individuals do not seek any medical care
for their infection. For those who do experience symptoms, there is no special antiviral treatments, fortunately most of the time symptoms of the infection will
go away on their own. Although the virus can linger in the person’s body, it usually does not cause any negative and long lasting problems.