Prevention & Treatment
Follow simple steps to protect yourself and others
You can protect yourself and others from adenoviruses and other respiratory illnesses by following a few simple steps:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (see CDC’s Clean Hands Save Lives! ).
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
If you’re sick you can help protect others:
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve, not your hands.
- Avoid sharing cups and eating utensils with others.
- Refrain from kissing others.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom.
Frequent handwashing is especially important in childcare settings and healthcare facilities.
Maintain proper chlorine levels to prevent outbreaks
It is important to keep adequate levels of chlorine in swimming pools to prevent outbreaks of conjunctivitis caused by adenoviruses. CDC’s Healthy Swimming website provides more information on how to maintain healthy and safe swimming environments.
Treatment
There are no approved antiviral medicines and no specific treatment for people with adenovirus infection. Most adenovirus infections are mild and may be managed with rest and over-the-counter pain medicines or fever reducers to help relieve symptoms. Always read the label and use medications as directed.
If you have concerns, you should speak with your healthcare provider.
Adenovirus vaccine is for U.S. military only
There is a vaccine for adenovirus types 4 and 7 that is used in military personnel who may be at higher risk for infection from these two adenovirus types. This vaccine contains live virus that can be shed in stool and potentially cause disease in other people if transmitted. The safety and effectiveness of this vaccine has not been studied in the general population or in people with weakened immune systems, and it is not approved for use outside of the military. There is currently no adenovirus vaccine available to the general public. For more information about the vaccine, see Adenovirus Vaccine Information Statement (VIS).
Learn more about adenoviruses