FeverRunny noseSneezingCoughSkin rashSore throatMouth blistersBody and muscle aches
Sometimes enterovirus infections can also cause:
Viral conjunctivitisHand, foot, and mouth diseaseViral meningitis (infection of the covering of the spinal cord and/or brain)Viral encephalitis (infection of the brain)Myocarditis (infection of the heart)Pericarditis (infection of the sac around the heart)Acute flaccid paralysis (a sudden onset of weakness in one or more arms or legs)Inflammatory muscle disease (slow, progressive muscle weakness)
A genetic test like a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, orIsolating the virus in cell culture and then testing with PCR to identify the virus
Currently no medications exist that kill enteroviruses. Because they are viruses, antibiotics are ineffective against them.
Prevention of Non-Polio Enterovirus Infections
The best way to prevent the spread of enteroviruses is to stay home when sick and to regularly wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Good hand hygiene is especially important after using the toilet, changing diapers, or having physical contact with people who are sick. Regularly cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces can also help to prevent the spread of enteroviruses. More serious complications include severe respiratory problems or even paralysis and death. People who develop myocarditis as a result of an enterovirus infection may have heart failure and need long-term care. In rare cases, newborns infected with a non-polio enterovirus may develop sepsis, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. HFMD usually causes mild symptoms for 7 to 10 days, but parents may want to contact a healthcare provider if their child is not drinking enough to stay hydrated, if symptoms are severe or last more than 10 days, if the child has a weakened immune system, or if he or she is younger than 6 months old. HFMD is frequently caused by the enteroviruses known as coxsackievirus A16, coxsackievirus A6, and enterovirus 71 (EV-71). HFMD is not the same as foot-and-mouth disease, which is a disease that infects livestock.
Enterovirus D68
Anyone with respiratory illness should contact their doctor if they’re having difficulty breathing or if their symptoms are getting worse. Seek immediate medical attention if you or your child develops any of these symptoms following a respiratory illness:
Arm or leg weaknessPain in the neck, back, arms, or legsDifficulty swallowing or slurred speechDifficulty moving the eyes or drooping eyelidsFacial droop or weakness
Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71)
Infection with EV-A71 can have mild symptoms (such as with HFMD) or no symptoms at all. Rarely, infection can lead to severe neurological illnesses like meningitis, encephalitis (swelling of the brain and spinal cord), or a kind of paralyzing illness called acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). The CDC’s website has a wealth of up-to-date info on non-polio enteroviruses, including what symptoms and complications they may cause, how to prevent the spread of infection, and a section on outbreaks and surveillance. HealthyChildren.org Infants and children with asthma have a greater risk of developing breathing problems and complications from enterovirus infections, so it’s important that parents access trusted information on the topic. HealthyChildren.org, from the American Academy of Pediatrics, offers just that.
