Adenoviruses are associated with a wide range of diseases in humans, including respiratory infections, conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis, and cystitis. In addition, adenoviruses are associated with a variety of diseases in animals, including canine infectious tracheobronchitis, bovine respiratory disease, and feline infectious peritonitis.
Respiratory Infections
Adenoviruses are the most common cause of acute respiratory illness in children. Symptoms of an adenovirus respiratory infection include fever, runny nose, cough, sore throat, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. In some cases, a chest X-ray may reveal an enlarged lymph node in the chest, which is a sign of an adenovirus infection.
Conjunctivitis
Adenoviruses are also a common cause of conjunctivitis, or pink eye. Symptoms of conjunctivitis include redness, itching, burning, and discharge. In some cases, the eyelids may swell and the eyes may become sensitive to light.
Gastroenteritis
Adenoviruses can cause gastroenteritis, which is an infection of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of gastroenteritis include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In some cases, a person may also experience fever and dehydration.
Cystitis
Adenoviruses can also cause cystitis, which is an infection of the bladder. Symptoms of cystitis include pain when urinating, feeling an urge to urinate frequently, and cloudy or bloody urine. In some cases, fever and abdominal pain may also occur.
Animals
Adenoviruses can also cause diseases in animals. Canine infectious tracheobronchitis, or “kennel cough”, is a common respiratory disease in dogs that is caused by an adenovirus. Bovine respiratory disease, which is a condition in cattle caused by multiple viruses including adenovirus, can cause severe respiratory symptoms such as coughing, nasal discharge, and difficulty breathing. Feline infectious peritonitis is a common cause of death in cats and is caused by an adenovirus.