often strike in the winter, and we recently had an adenovirus outbreak. Then I discovered that practically all of them had gone swimming throughout their summer vacation. They likely got the infection there. “Adenovirus is primarily an airborne infection, but it can spread through water,” he explained.
Swimming pools could indeed be spreading the virus among children, agreed paediatrician Shantanu Ray. “Slightly grown-up children, mostly teenagers, have been getting the virus and many of them have been swimming. Adenovirus spreads very fast through water and it’s plausible since this is the time children start learning to swim and spend a long time in the pool. For some, the infection has been severe, forcing hospitalization. High fever has been the first and the most common symptom, leading to cough and conjunctivitis in many cases,” Ray said.
Impact of Adenovirus Outbreak on Young Swimmers
According to Ghosh, the most prevalent symptoms have been cough, congestion, fever, and conjunctivitis. “Fortunately, most have had a mild disease that can be managed with symptomatic medications.” Unlike last winter, when youngsters and the elderly alike experienced serious symptoms such as respiratory difficulties that necessitated hospitalization, the symptoms this season are very mild. The fact that it has largely affected youngsters who swim indicates that the virus has spread through the pools,” he noted.
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A 14-year-old Behala boy who regularly swims at a local club, according to his parents, experienced respiratory difficulties last week. He was transported to ICH and tested positive for adenovirus. “My son has never had asthma or any other type of lung disease,” the parent explained. “We were surprised when he became breathless after a cough and cold.”
He also stated that his youngster will not be swimming anytime soon. Giving up swimming was not an option, according to Apurba Ghosh, director of ICH. “Those who have been infected should refrain from swimming until they have been cured.” “However, once the outbreak is over, they can return to the pool,” he stated.
Adenovirus Transmission: Examining the Role of Water and Chlorine Treatment
According to scientists, adenovirus can spread by droplets emitted from the nose and throat. It is spread by the stool of an infected person and through water (1✔ ✔Trusted Source
Adenoviruses
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). The virus can persist in a pool at 10° C for five months. According to doctors, parents should ensure that pools are chlorine-treated and that children with evident symptoms are not allowed to enter pools until they improve.
According to Sauren Panja, an intensivist at RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences, chlorine treatment of water could help prevent infections in pools. Panja acknowledged that viral transmission by water was not unusual. “It spread through the air last winter, and now water is the medium of transmission.” Because children have stronger immunity, symptoms are likely to be acute but less intense.”
The lone skeptic in the water idea was Raja Dhar, CMRI’s director of pulmonology. He believed that adenovirus could not propagate through water. “It spreads through the air, but I have yet to come across any cases of transmission through water,” he said. “Because the pools here are much warmer than 10 °C, the virus has a difficult time surviving.” However, it probably persists for a shorter period at greater temperatures.”
Reference :
- Adenoviruses – (https:pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32644498/)
Source: Medindia
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