Taxonomy

Family--Adenoviridae
Genus--Mastadenovirus
Subgenus--Human adenovirus F

Power

Depends on the context of the patient. Weak in the developed world--infection is often subclinical and almost everyone recovers, though infants and young children may require hospitalization for severe diarrhea. Medium/Strong in the developing world--though some infections are subclinical and most recover, this is a significant cause of diarrheal death in young children.

Offenses

Attacks--GI system via fecal-oral transmission
Outcomes--gastroenteritis with diarrhea, especially in young children; mild or subclinical infection in older children and adults; watch out for dehydration!
Speed--Medium-incubation is 7-8 days, disease lasts 7-10 days

Defenses

Vaccines--none
Behavioral--handwashing; keeping kids isolated from packs of other kids--no daycare!
Treatment--symptomatic treatment only, but the symptomatic treatment of oral rehydration therapy (ORT) or IV rehydration therapy is very effective at preventing death from dehydration

Game Action

Your kid gets sick (along with half of the other kids from her playgroup). Skip a turn getting her IV fluids in the emergency room. Take the turn after that, and then skip the following one when your other kid gets it.

Fun Fact

There are only two adenoviruses that typically cause childhood gastroenteritis rather than respiratory illness, conjunctivitis, or genitourinary illness: types 40 and 41.