Adenoviruses are Inactivated by Germicidal UV-C Light

Adenovirus with type of microbe, disease, and UV dose


What are Adenoviruses?

Adenoviruses are common viruses that can cause cold-like symptoms like a fever, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhea, and pink eye. In rare cases (for individuals with weakened immune systems or existing respiratory or cardiac disease), these viruses can cause serious illness.


Where is it Found?


Man spewing Adenovirus respiratory droplets
Respiratory Droplets
Hands touching wood surface
Surfaces

What Does it Infect?


Woman in gastrointestinal pain
Intestines
Man with lungs and upper respiratory tract showing
Lungs
Woman with nose and throat showing through skin
Nose & Throat
Woman with nose and throat showing through skin
Nose & Throat

How Does it Spread?


Nose closeup of breathing in respiratory droplets from Adenoviruses
Inhaling Droplets
Hand about to touch handrail
Touching Surfaces

Preventing the Spread of Adenoviruses

Since these viruses are usually spread from person to person though the air, by close personal contact, or by touching surfaces, prevention involves taking the following measures:

  • Avoid close contact with sick people
  • Wash your hands with soap and water
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth

Get More Protection with UV Disinfection

In addition to the above preventative measures, Germicidal Ultraviolet (UV-C) air and surface disinfection can inactivate Adenoviruses in various locations where the risk of cross-infection is high, like hospitals, healthcare facilities, offices, schools, and auditoriums. Shop our products at AtlanticUltraviolet.comopen_in_new.

Learn about these applications:

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Our germicidal lamps produce ultraviolet wavelengths at 254 nanometers, the region of maximum germicidal effectiveness. Read our FAQ blog post to learn more. See dosage data below.

UV applications for air and surface disinfection of Adenoviruses

Adenoviruses: Classification & UV-C Dose for Inactivation

Organism:Type:Disease:UV Dose*:
Adenovirus Type 2VirusCommon Cold78 mJ/cm2
Adenovirus Type 4VirusCommon Cold34 mJ/cm2
Adenovirus Type 5VirusCommon Cold92 mJ/cm2
Adenovirus Type 6VirusCommon Cold77 mJ/cm2
Adenovirus Type 40VirusCommon Cold99 mJ/cm2
Adenovirus Type 41VirusCommon Cold116 mJ/cm2

* Nominal germicidal UV dosage necessary to inactivate better than 99% of microorganism. See sources below.

People at High Risk for Contracting Infections from Adenoviruses

People with the following characteristics are at a higher risk for developing a serious illness:

  • Weakened immune systems
  • Respiratory disease
  • Cardiac disease

Symptoms & Treatment

There is no specific treatment for people with an Adenovirus infection. Most infections are mild and may only require care to help relieve symptoms, such as over-the-counter pain medicines or fever reducers. Symptoms usually include:

  • common cold or flu-like symptoms
  • fever
  • sore throat
  • acute bronchitis (inflammation of the airways of the lungs, sometimes called a “chest cold”)
  • pneumonia (infection of the lungs)
  • pink eye (conjunctivitis)
  • acute gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach or intestines causing diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain)

Less common symptoms of infection include:

  • bladder inflammation or infection
  • neurologic disease (conditions that affect the brain and spinal cord)

Sources on Adenoviruses

The above information can be found on the CDC: Adenovirusesopen_in_new page.

Dosage Source

James E. Cruver, Ph.D., “Spotlight on Ultraviolet Disinfection”, Water Technology, June 1984.

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