Symptoms of the Ad14 Mutant Cold Virus

The first identified case of AD14 (Adenovirus 14) cold virus was among military recruits in the Netherlands in 1955 and all but disappeared by the early 1960s according to Dr. Larry Anderson, director of viral illnesses at the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Then early in 2007, over 100 trainees at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio contracted respiratory infections. At least 106 of them had a mutated form of Ad14. Among those, five ended up being admitted to an intensive care unit.

In April 2007, 31 cases of AD14 mutant cold virus were registered at a Portland-area hospital. Seven of the Oregon patients died from severe pneumonia. The Washington state health officials reported four hospitalized patients in the month of May.

How can you tell if you have Ad14 mutant cold virus? What are the actual symptoms?
Altogether there are 51 types of adenovirus, almost all of which can cause a wide range of symptoms. AD14 mutant cold virus is one of the adenoviruses that cause respiratory illness. There is often a layering of symptoms, beginning with common cold symptoms. A fever may be present though, in addition to a runny nose, sore throat and cough. In its most severe form, the symptoms may also spread to the lower respiratory tract, causing productive cough and shortness of breath.

The rhinovirus, a different cold virus can also cause many of the same symptoms. In fact, many common cold infections are like those caused by Ad14 so there is no way to distinguish a cold caused by milder viruses based on the initial symptoms alone.

What distinguishes Ad14 mutant cold virus from other cold viruses is the presence of persistent fever or a fever that continues to get higher, or trouble breathing. The symptoms getting more severe and the overall health of the infected individual determines if or whether medical attention is necessary.