A University of Maryland student has died following complications stemming from an adenovirus infection, which in extreme cases can be deadly.
Olivia Paregol, an 18-year-old freshman at the university, died on Sunday, Nov. 18, from adenovirus-related complications, according to school officials cited by
ABC News. Adenoviruses typically have mild symptoms, such as sore throat, but for people with compromised immunity, they can cause pneumonia or other complications and be fatal.
Paregol was being treated for Crohn’s disease, an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, when she contracted the virus, her father told ABC affiliate WJLA.
Ian Paregol, the woman’s father, expressed concern that the school did not alert students earlier about several reports of adenovirus infections on campus. He said his daughter was only tested for the disease after finding out that other students had been diagnosed.
“I was told there were two students with the virus when I called to figure out what my daughter had, which means they knew it before my daughter,” Ian Paregol told WJLA. “It is the worst nightmare that a family or certainly a parent can have to endure.”
The man is speaking out about the circumstances of his daughter’s death in hopes that the information might help others better cope with the threat of adenovirus-related afflictions.
“We don’t want any other kids to have this happen to them and God knows we don’t want any other parents to have this unimaginable grief that we have,” Ian Paregol
told Fox5.
Olivia Paregol was diagnosed with pneumonia on Nov. 9, according to the Baltimore Sun, and after her condition deteriorated she was admitted to the intensive care unit.
“She definitely appeared to be getting sicker and sicker,” Ian Paregol told WJLA.
“Her issue was she could not get enough oxygen through her lungs,” he said, according to Fox5.
Adenovirus on Campus
Officials at the University of Maryland said on Tuesday that five other students have tested positive for adenovirus.“I am sad to share that a University of Maryland student recently passed away from adenovirus associated illness,” David McBride, director of the University Health Center, said in a
statement. “We offer our condolences during this difficult time.
“While we are normally prohibited from sharing medical information publicly, we have been authorized by a family member to share this news and urge others to take seriously this strain of a common virus,” it continued.
McBride said school officials first learned of “an isolated case” of adenovirus in a student at the beginning of November, and on Nov. 19 a different student tested positive for adenovirus 7, a more potent strain of the virus.
“Students are being tested at the University Health Center and the campus community is being given guidance for preventative measures amid flu and virus season,” McBride wrote in the statement.
“University of Maryland health officials said there is no specific medication to treat the infection for someone who hasn’t been hospitalized. They recommend rest, plenty of fluids, and fever-reducing medicine. They recommend anyone with chronic medical problems such as asthma, diabetes, or illnesses that lower your immune system or take medicine that lowers their immune system remain vigilant,” the statement continued.
Adenovirus-Related Deaths in New Jersey
Eleven children died at a medical facility in New Jersey in recent months due to an outbreak of adenovirus, according to
ABC.
It was reported that a total of 34 children at Waneque Rehab Center in Haskell, New Jersey, were infected with the virus and 11 died. The facility treats children with weakened immune systems.
“Unfortunately, the particular strain of adenovirus (7) in this outbreak is affecting medically fragile children with severely compromised immune systems,” the department said to
Pix11. “The combination of a worse strain of adenovirus together with a fragile population has led to a more severe outbreak.”
Officials at the state’s health department said that the facility “has been instructed not to admit any new patients until the outbreak ends and they are in full compliance,”
NorthJersey.com reported.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
said: “Adenoviruses are common viruses that cause a range of illness. They can cause cold-like symptoms, sore throat, bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhea, and pink eye [conjunctivitis]. You can get an adenovirus infection at any age.”
The agency also
said, “Adenoviruses are usually spread from an infected person to others through close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands, the air by coughing and sneezing, touching an object or surface with adenoviruses on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands.”
