It is most commonly seen in infants aged 6 months to 2 years and is the most severe type of viral pneumonia in northern China. Adenovirus types 3 and 7 are the main pathogens.

bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations

1. Symptoms: The incubation period is 3-8 days, with an acute onset. Initial symptoms resemble upper respiratory tract infection or pharyngoconjunctival fever, followed by high fever (continuous or remittent) after 3-4 days, accompanied by pallor, lethargy, or dysphoria. Cough starts as dry cough, progressing to dyspnea, nasal flaring, retractions, and cyanosis within 3-5 days.
2. Signs: During the initial stage, pulmonary signs are minimal. After 3-5 days, moist rales become audible, and tubular breath sounds may be heard in cases of lesion consolidation.
3. Complications: Adenovirus pneumonia is typically severe in children, often complicated by heart failure, respiratory failure, toxic encephalopathy, or disseminated intravascular coagulation, with high mortality.
4. Secondary bacterial infections: Commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli. Severe cases frequently lead to chronic pneumonia, bronchiectasis, pulmonary emphysema, or atelectasis.

bubble_chart Auxiliary Examination

X-ray examination: In the early stage, there is thickening and blurring of lung markings, accompanied by lung qi swelling changes. Patchy blurred shadows appear 3-5 days after onset and form a fusion of disease foci.

If conditions permit, adenovirus antigen or virus isolation can be performed on pharyngeal and nasal secretions.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

There is currently no specific treatment method, mainly comprehensive treatment, similar to bronchopneumonia treatment. Ribavirin can be chosen for antiviral therapy. Invigorating blood and resolving stasis Chinese medicinals have shown good efficacy.