Adenovirus

Adenoviruses are a group of viruses that infect the membranes of the respiratory tract, the eyes, the intestines, and the urinary tract.

Image: CDC

There are several different types of adenovirus and different types cause different symptoms. Adenoviruses usually cause respiratory illness, they can also cause diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, cystitis, and rashes.

Adenoviral infections affect young children more frequently than adults. Adenoviruses 40 and 41 are causes of viral gastroenteritis (diarrhoea) in children.  Most of the adenoviruses identified in stool specimens are not typed.