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ECHO Virus Symptoms

Enteric cytopathic human orphan (ECHO) viruses are common viruses that cause gastrointestinal infections and skin rashes. ECHO virus may also be referred to as a nonpolio enterovirus infection.

  1. Symptoms

    • Symptoms of ECHO viruses depend on what kind of infection is triggered by the virus. Possible conditions include upper respiratory infections, pneumonia, viral pharyngitis, pericarditis, myocarditis, herpangina, encephalitis, croup and aseptic meningitis. Also, the common childhood disease known as hand, foot and mouth disease may be caused by an ECHO virus.

    Significance

    • ECHO viruses are common and usually not serious.

    Diagnosis

    • ECHO viruses can be diagnosed using a throat culture, spinal fluid culture, rectal culture or stool culture.

    Treatment

    • ECHO viruses usually do not cause any serious complications and clear up without treatment. Patients with an impaired immune system may need a dose of intravenous gammaglobulin (IVIG) immune booster to fight infection.

    Warning

    • ECHO viruses can be dangerous for those individuals with an impaired immune system or those individuals who develop heart infections as a result of the virus.

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