AD14 - The Killer Cold Virus

This is a rare form of cold virus which causes severe problems in both children and adults. This kind of infection has become more common in the United States in recent years and requires intensive medical care unlike most adenoviruses that cause the common cold.

Adenovirus Infection

These types of infections are extremely common in human beings but rarely cause fatal illness. This includes colds, bronchitis, a sore throat, fever, conjunctivitis, rash and cystitis.

Ad14 is the particular strain that causes the killer cold virus, but it is extremely rare. If you have other respiratory infections or cardiac disease then you are in the group most at risk to Ad14. This infection spreads like the common cold, for example coughing, touching items such as door handles and so on. This can be prevented by washing hands carefully and practicing other good habits.

AD14

You cannot get any vaccine for adenovirus, and this includes the particular Ad14 strain. There are vaccines in development but these do not include Ad14. The Ad14 virus itself was isolated in 2006 and 2007 and determined to be genetically different from other forms of adenovirus.

If you find that you have a cold or any symptoms listed above that are getting worse then you should contact a doctor. This also means that parents should monitor children carefully. If the condition is getting worse your doctor will take samples to test whether it is indeed the Ad14 virus. If so, you will receive intensive medical care and support.