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via BlackDoctor:

Adenoviruses have been around since 1953, but many of us haven’t heard about it or seen it in the news lately, until now.

In 2018, ongoing outbreaks in two states have put the virus in the public light again. The University of Maryland confirmed 22 cases of the virus during the last week of November/first week of December 2018. One of the infected students, a freshman, died from the virus. The campus outbreak follows a rash of infections at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation’s Pediatric Center in New Jersey. Eleven children at the facility have died, and 25 other children and one staff member have become sick. But what is adenovirus, and who is at risk?

Adenovirus refers to a cluster of viruses — more than 50 known strains — that most commonly infect the respiratory system. Each strain may bring about a different set of symptoms, such as the common cold, sore throat, fever, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Other strains might lead to pinkeye, diarrhea, and, in rare cases, brain and spinal cord infections.

Some strains, such as type 7, can cause more serious illness than others. Although serious adenovirus illnesses are less common, people with weakened immune systems, or existing respiratory or cardiac disease, are at higher risk of developing severe and life-threatening infections.

The New Jersey children and at least four University of Maryland students have this strain. A handful of strains are more commonly associated with outbreaks. Most cases of the virus are mild. Severe infections like those in New Jersey and Maryland are less common.

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