Enterovirus Infections

Overview

What is an Enterovirus?

An enterovirus (en-teh-roe-VY-rus) is a kind of germ that’s a common cause of infection in people of all ages. Symptoms can range from mild to serious. Most enterovirus infections happen in the summer and fall.

Types of Enteroviruses

There are many kinds of enteroviruses, including coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, and polioviruses. They can infect anyone but are more likely to cause illnesses in certain groups. This includes people with weak immune systems, as well as babies, children, and teens who don't have immunity (protection) against a specific virus yet if it’s their first exposure to it.

Top Things to Know

Enteroviruses are common germs that spread easily and can cause mild to serious illnesses.
Most kids get a fever, rash, or cold symptoms, but sometimes more severe problems happen.
Rest, fluids, and treating fever symptoms usually help kids feel better.
Call your doctor if your child has trouble breathing or a fever for several days, or seems very sick.

Signs & Symptoms

What are the Signs & Symptoms of Enterovirus Infections?

Most people with an enterovirus infection don't get sick. For those who do, symptoms depend on the kind of enterovirus and which part of the body it affects. Most often a child will simply have a fever, a rash, or mild cold symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, or muscle aches.

What Problems Can Enterovirus Infections Cause?

Enteroviruses don’t often cause problems, but when they do, they can include:

conjunctivitis (pinkeye)
hand, foot, and mouth disease
meningitis
encephalitis
myocarditis
pericarditis (infection of the sac that surrounds the heart)

Sometimes, certain types of enteroviruses cause outbreaks (when a disease happens in greater numbers than expected in a certain area). For example, enterovirus D68 causes outbreaks in the United States every couple of years. This kind is usually mild, but sometimes can cause serious breathing problems in children and teens — especially young babies or children with asthma or a weak immune system. Rarely, it also can cause acute flaccid myelitis, a condition that can lead to severe weakness of the arms or legs.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Call your doctor if your child is sick and:

has a fever that lasts more than a few days
has breathing problems
is younger than 3 months old
has a weak immune system
has red eyes, eye pain, or a change in vision
has signs of dehydration, like peeing less than usual or having fewer wet diapers, a dry mouth, sunken eyes, or acts tired and weak
seems drowsy or confused
has chest pain

You know your child best. If your child seems very ill, call your doctor right away.

Causes & Prevention

What Causes Enterovirus Infections?

Enteroviruses cause enterovirus infections. When an enterovirus (or any virus) moves into someone’s body, it wants to grow in number. As enteroviruses spread, they may damage cells and make a person sick.

Is Enterovirus Contagious?

Yes. Enteroviruses are contagious (spread easilyfrom person to person). The germs spread via unwashed hands and surfaces contaminated by stool, or poop, where they can live for several days. Sometimes people can get infected if they eat or drink something that has enterovirus in it. The viruses also can spread through droplets when someone with an infection coughs or sneezes, or through fluid in skin blisters.

People who are infected can spread the virus to others for a few weeks, even if they don’t have symptoms. And pregnant women can pass the virus to their babies if they get infected shortly before giving birth.

What Can Help Prevent Enterovirus Infections?

One enterovirus infection that can be prevented with a vaccine is polio.

As with other infections, the best ways to help avoid other types of enterovirus infections include:

washing hands well and often
avoiding contact with sick people
keeping household surfaces clean and disinfected (using something like bleach or antibacterial soap to kill germs)

How Are Enterovirus Infections Diagnosed?

Since enterovirus symptoms are similar to those caused by other infections, doctors usually won’t test when there are mild signs. But for more serious symptoms, doctors may do additional checks, like testing blood, urine (pee), poop, or spinal fluid to look for the virus. Depending on the symptoms, doctors may need to also do tests to see how organs like the heart are doing.

Treatment & Home Care

How Are Enterovirus Infections Treated?

There’s no specific treatment for enterovirus infection. The focus is on easing symptoms until the infection has run its course, which usually takes only a few days.

It can help to get plenty of rest and drink lots of liquids. If a fever makes your child uncomfortable, you can give acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Babies (especially newborns and preemies), people with weak immune systems, and children and adults with severe enterovirus infections may need treatment in a hospital. The treatment depends on any problems that develop.