Adenoviruses can cause mild to severe illness, though serious illness is less common. People with weakened immune systems, or existing respiratory or cardiac disease, are at higher risk of developing severe illness from an adenovirus infection.
Adenoviruses are usually spread from an infected person to others through
close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
droplets by coughing and sneezing
touching an object or surface with adenoviruses on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands
Some adenoviruses can spread through an infected person’s stool, for example, during nappy changing. Adenovirus can also spread through the water, such as swimming pools, but this is less common.
If NIAS staff are aware that the patient has a suspected or confirmed case this should be communicated to the Control Room (Emergency or Non-emergency as appropriate) and the staff in the receiving unit when transferring the patient to ensure effective patient care and management.
Hand Hygiene should be completed as per the 5 moments in line with usual practice.
Eye protection should be risk assessed for any concern regarding a splash risk.
A Fluid Resistant Surgical Mask should be worn.
Gloves and Aprons should be worn.
The patient should be transported via ambulance with no other patients present and asked to wear a FRSM if tolerated and does not interfere with their treatment.
Laundry should be treated as contaminated, placed into an alginate bag and placed into a red laundry bag.
