What are enteroviruses?
Enteroviruses are a type of virus that reproduces and multiplies in the intestine. They include groups of viruses termed coxsackie, so named because it was first discovered in Coxsackie, New York. Another group of enteroviruses are called ECHO (enteric cytopathic human orphan) viruses, and then the more recent ones are just called enteroviruses and they get a number, so new viruses aren't assigned to ECHO or coxsackie.
Why are enteroviruses more common in children?
Probably because they haven't been infected with them before, so they don't have immunity to them. It's most common in children under age five, but adults also can get these viruses.
What conditions are associated with endoviruses?
Every year, typically in mid- to late summer and early fall, there are outbreaks of enteroviruses and a lot of children become infected. We don't understand the seasonality of these infections.
Commonly, the virus will cause only fever. Some children will develop painful little spots in the back of the mouth that then blister, and that's referred to as herpangina. The symptoms last a few days, and the children will be feverish and uncomfortable, with a severe sore throat, but the virus is harmless, and it goes away.
Hand-foot-mouth syndrome is another type of enteroviral infection, where people get bumps and then blisters in the mouth, and on the hands and feet. Again, these blisters are tender and uncomfortable, but go away and cause no permanent harm.
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