section name header

Information

Editors

MerjaHelminen

Enterovirus Infections

Essentials

  • Enterovirus infections show seasonal variation.
  • The patient typically presents with symptoms of a mild upper respiratory tract infection. Serious infections affecting the nervous system are rare.
  • Fever and sore throat combined with vesicular lesions in the mouth and on the hands and feet are strongly suggestive of hand, foot and mouth disease (enteroviral vesicular stomatitis with exanthem).

Causative agents

  • Enteroviruses include e.g. polioviruses, coxsackieviruses and echoviruses. Enterovirus infection is transmitted by airborne droplets, faeces and from mother to child during childbirth.
  • The incubation period is usually 3-6 days from contact but may be shorter.

Clinical picture

Diagnosis

Treatment and prognosis

    References

    • de Crom SC, Rossen JW, van Furth AM ym. Enterovirus and parechovirus infection in children: a brief overview. Eur J Pediatr 2016;175(8):1023-9. [PubMed]

Related Keywords

ATC Code:

Primary/Secondary Keywords