Diagnosis

Adenovirus infections can be identified using antigen detection, polymerase chain reaction assay, virus isolation, and serology. Adenovirus typing is usually done by hemagglutination-inhibition and/or neutralization with type-specific antisera or by molecular methods.

Even if a person has adenovirus, it does not necessarily mean that this virus it is causing the particular illness that the person has. A person can shed the virus for months or years and not have symptoms.

Health professionals should

• consider adenoviruses as a possible cause of severe pneumonia cases and outbreaks of pneumonia of unknown etiology
• report unusual clusters of severe respiratory disease caused by adenoviruses to the CDC

For more information, see

• Clinical Overview
• Prevention & Treatment