‘Mystery throat virus’ deemed ‘untreatable’ sweeping the globe

There is no treatment for it

This infection also will cause you to have very little to no energy and this appears to be lasting for days, or even weeks for some.

But what is it, exactly? It is being called the “mystery throat virus”, and according to many people it has been years since they had something like it.

According to Eric Sachinwalla, Jefferson Health’s medical director of infection prevention and control, if you have these symptoms, you most likely had adenovirus.

What is adenovirus?

Adenovirus is a common virus that spreads throughout the year, but there is no treatment for it, unlike flu and COVID which can be treated with prescribed medications.

This type of virus is a group of common viruses that can cause these symptoms you may be having, which are cold- and flu-like.

What makes things worrying is that it is quite contagious compared to other viruses, and it won’t be killed with soap, water or other disinfectants we use every day, meaning it lives longer in the environment.

How does it spread?

It can spread through the respiratory tract, shed through stool, and live a while on contaminated surfaces. When it comes to symptoms, adenovirus attacks many different parts of your body.

This means that you can experience everything from sore throat, runny nose, and cough to middle-ear infection, high fever, and shortness of breath, while it can cause diarrhea too.

What symptoms you will go through all depends on the type of adenovirus strain, as there are nearly 60 for this type of virus, and which subtype is causing the rise in infections remains unknown.

When should you go to the doctor?

You should pay your doctor a visit if you’re feeling worse by day three, as that timing might be a good reason to call your doctor and see if what you’re experiencing is worth getting checked out for.

Medical attention should also be sought by those who are immunocompromised, parents of young babies, or those that have underlying medical conditions like lung or heart disease.