That Awful Sore Throat Everyone’s Talking About? Here’s the Deal

The “Mystery Throat Virus”: Unraveling the Adenovirus Mystery

Talk to anyone right now, and chances are they’re sick or just getting over a gnarly infection that comes with a horrible sore throat, lots of mucus, and zero energy for days (or even weeks)!

Adenovirus: A Common Culprit

The “mystery throat virus” is actually a common viral infection caused by adenovirus. Adenovirus is a group of viruses that can cause cold- or flu-like symptoms, making it a frequent visitor during the winter months.

Contagious and Persistent

This virus is more contagious than others because it’s heartier—soap and water, or everyday disinfectant, won’t kill it. Therefore, it tends to live in the environment longer, making it easier for people to catch. You see more clusters of these infections in places like daycares and military barracks due to close contact, as adenovirus can spread through the respiratory tract, shed through stool, and live a while on contaminated surfaces.

Diverse Symptoms

Adenovirus attacks many different parts of the body, so you can experience everything from sore throat, runny nose, and cough to middle-ear infection, high fever, and shortness of breath. It can even cause pink eye and diarrhea. The symptoms depend on which subtype is causing illness right now—there are nearly 60 for adenovirus.

When to See a Doctor

If you’re generally healthy and feeling crummy but not experiencing shortness of breath or high fever, you’ll likely be okay and get better with supportive care at home. However, the people who should seek medical attention are those who are immunocompromised, parents of young babies, or have underlying medical conditions like lung or heart disease.

But if you’re sick, don’t just show up to your doctor’s office. Call first—they might want to do a telehealth visit if your symptoms sound very contagious. If you’re feeling worse by day three, that might be a good reason to call your doctor and see if what you’re experiencing is worth getting checked out for.

Seasonal Predictions

The flu season is expected to be rough this year, according to doctors at Jefferson Health. They predict it based on the prior season in the southern hemisphere—tends to predict how we’ll fare—and they had more infections than last year. However, fewer people are getting their flu shots for a number of reasons.

Though the shot isn’t perfect, it can help reduce the severity of symptoms if you do come down with the flu. So, it’s important to consider vaccination as part of your preventive strategy.

At-Home Remedies

The biggest thing is rest, which I know can be hard for some people! You also want to stay hydrated. Not all fevers need to be treated with Tylenol or Motrin—actually, a fever is a tool of your body’s immune system, how we fight infection.

Still, if your fever is accompanied by body aches or chills, maybe you’ll want to turn to medication. And if it reaches 103 or 104 degrees, call your doctor.

Unfortunately, nothing I’ve seen is a quick fix. Sometimes, it just takes several days to feel better. For the flu, Tamiflu can sometimes cut off a day or two if you catch it early, but for adenovirus and similar illnesses, you often have to let them run their course.

Hygiene Practices

Basically, basic hygiene practices like frequent handwashing and cleaning high-touch surfaces typically work the best to keep you healthy. Following these guidelines can help reduce your chances of contracting adenovirus or other viruses during this season.

Laura Brzyski is a Health and Wellness Editor at Philly Mag, covering all things related to health, wellness, and prevention strategies for our readers.