What you need to know about ‘highly contagious’ adenovirus

A highly infectious virus is spreading, and this is what you can do to protect yourself from it.

It is called adenovirus and is reportedly very infectious, meaning that it can spread quickly through contact with skin, coughing, sneezing, or touching a surface which has adenovirus on it.

Symptoms are similar to those of a cold or flu, including fever, a sore throat, acute bronchitis, and acute gastroenteritis.

However, in more serious cases, it can sometimes lead to pneumonia.

While the virus generally has mild symptoms for most people, if you are immunocompromised, pregnant, or elderly, it can be more dangerous.

But even if you're not in a higher-risk group, no one likes being laid up with a horrid virus, so here's what everyone can do to try to protect themselves.

No-one likes being laid up with a virus (Guido Mieth/Getty)

Ian Budd, the lead prescribing pharmacist at the Chemist4U online pharmacy, said of adenovirus: "We don’t have a readily available vaccine for it."

He added: “Most people will get better with simple at-home care, but good hygiene and staying home when unwell will help protect everyone around you.”

This second part is very important, as adenovirus is extremely infectious, so if you do have it, it's probably a good idea to stay at home to prevent it from potentially spreading.

If your symptoms do become more serious, then you can call your GP surgery, who can advise you on whether you need to see a doctor.

Calling ahead also reduces the risk of spreading.

Budd explained that adenovirus is 'a group of common respiratory viruses that circulate widely', explaining: “These viruses aren’t new, but with multiple viruses circling right now, more people are noticing symptoms and heading to their GP.”

Some people could be more affected than others (KALA STUDIO/Getty)

There are also different strains of adenovirus which affect different parts of the body, and they all depend on where they prefer.

Budd explained: “Some of the viruses prefer your respiratory tract, whereas others can affect your eyes or gut.

“As they can infect different parts of your body, symptoms will often vary.”

But why are we seeing a surge now?

Ian explained that one factor could be the decreased immunity we had as a result of COVID lockdowns, saying: “With COVID-19 restrictions lifted, and fewer people catching other viruses over the past few years, immunity in the community may be lower, leading to people becoming more susceptible."

He added: “Adenovirus isn’t a new virus, it’s just showing up more often alongside other winter bugs."