Enterovirus

Enterovirus is a group of viruses that can make you sick in lots of different ways. Some of them cause respiratory illnesses similar to a cold. Others cause hand, foot and mouth disease or polio. They can cause severe complications like pneumonia and paralysis.

Enteroviruses carry their genetic instructions on RNA. Enterovirus infections usually start in your digestive tract (“entero” means related to the intestines) or throat — but they don’t often cause digestive symptoms. They can spread to other parts of your body.

Enteroviruses are often named starting with “EV,” followed by letters and numbers that note the type (like EV-D68, EV-A6 or EV-A71). Subtypes (species) of enteroviruses include:

• Coxsackievirus
• Echovirus
• Enterovirus
• Poliovirus
• Rhinovirus

Enterovirus diseases

Enteroviruses can cause several different kinds of infectious diseases and conditions. These include:

• Acute flaccid myelitis, an inflammation of your nervous system that causes weakness and paralysis
• Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, a severe type of pink eye often caused by EV-A70
• Aseptic (viral) meningitis, inflammation of the lining around your brain and spinal cord
• Encephalitis, inflammation of your brain
• Hand, foot and mouth disease, an illness that causes blister-like rashes
• Herpangina, an infection that causes sores in your mouth
• Myocarditis, inflammation of your heart muscle
• Pericarditis, inflammation of the sac around your heart
• Pleurodynia, inflammation in your chest muscles
• Polio, an illness that can sometimes lead to paralysis
• Respiratory illnesses, like EV-D68

Symptoms of enteroviruses

Enteroviruses cause different symptoms depending on which kind you have. Some symptoms could include:

• Respiratory symptoms, like runny nose, cough, wheezing or shortness of breath
• Skin rash or sores in your mouth
• Fever
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Digestive symptoms, like nausea, vomiting or constipation
• Eye symptoms, like pain, swollen eyelids, sensitivity to light or blurry vision
• Muscle weakness or paralysis
• Stiff neck
• Chest pain

You won’t experience all of these symptoms if you have an enterovirus infection.

Are enteroviruses contagious?

Yes, all enteroviruses are contagious. They spread through mucus, spit (saliva), poop and contaminated water. Specific ways they can spread include:

• Sneezing or coughing
• Sharing eating utensils and cups
• Touching contaminated doorknobs, toys and other objects or surfaces
• Not washing your hands well enough after going to the bathroom or touching poop (including changing diapers)
• Drinking or swimming in contaminated water or getting it in your mouth
• Eating foods prepared with contaminated water
• Touching your eye after touching something contaminated with the virus

Complications of enterovirus

Some enterovirus infections can lead to:

• Long-term muscle weakness or paralysis
• Inflammation of your heart or brain

How doctors diagnose enterovirus infections

A healthcare provider diagnoses enteroviruses based on your symptoms and by testing samples of body fluids to look for signs of infections. These samples could include:

• Spit (saliva) from your throat
• Poop (stool)
• Blood
• Cerebrospinal fluid (lumbar puncture)

How are enterovirus infections treated?

There’s no specific treatment that cures enterovirus infections. They usually get better on their own. If you’re severely ill, a provider may treat you with:

• Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation
• Bronchodilators to open your airways
• Oxygen therapy or a ventilator to help you breathe

If you have long-term muscle weakness or paralysis, physical therapy might help.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

See a healthcare provider or go to the emergency room if you or your child has severe symptoms, including:

• Difficulty breathing
• Severe weakness or paralysis
• Blurred vision or other eye issues
• Stiff neck
• Chest pain
• Confusion

Can you prevent enterovirus infections?

Tips for reducing your risk of catching and spreading enterovirus infections include:

• Cover your mouth and nose with the bend of your elbow when you sneeze or cough.
• Disinfect toys, phones, countertops and other surfaces you touch often.
• Don’t share eating utensils, cups, towels or makeup.
• Keep your kids home from school and away from other people when they’re sick.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important after going to the bathroom or changing diapers and before eating or preparing food.
• Don’t go swimming in public pools or lakes if you have diarrhea. Don’t let your kids go swimming if they’ve recently had diarrhea.
• Drink and cook with bottled water if you’re in an area without access to clean water.