The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has reported multiple outbreaks of adenovirus, which causes respiratory infections, on college campuses across the state, including the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
The health officials have also confirmed adenovirus cases at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
The DHS cautioned people that the virus may be spreading elsewhere and they may mistake the symptoms for the common cold and the adenovirus infection may go undiagnosed. Therefore, health officials are urging people to see their PCP if they experience any cold or flu-like symptoms.
Authorities at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh said two students were diagnosed with adenovirus over several weeks, which were detected during the school’s regular influenza screening.
The university health officials said they do not consider it an outbreak because there were only two confirmed cases. However, the state health officials have defined it as an outbreak by stating “we are seeing cases in more than one location and in a specific community (in this case college campuses).”
Adenovirus can spread easily, particularly in large communities. The virus can be spread through air droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread through touching infected surfaces, such as a desktop or doorknob and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, helping the virus to invade the soft tissue.
According to CDC, adenoviruses can cause a wide range of illnesses such as the common cold or flu-like symptoms, fever, sore throat, acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and pink eye (conjunctivitis), acute gastroenteritis (nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea).
Please note that antibiotics are ineffective against the virus and people can still spread the virus even after they recover from the infection. The DHS said, “The point we want to drive home is that people should be extra vigilant about washing their hands, avoiding people who are sick, and staying home if they are sick.”
