What is an Enterovirus?

Enteroviruses are a large group of viruses that belong to the family Picornaviridae. Enteroviruses are typically transmitted through the fecal-oral route, and they can cause a variety of infections, including the common cold, hand, foot, and mouth disease, and poliomyelitis.

Enteroviruses are single-stranded RNA viruses with a non-enveloped capsid. They are small viruses, with a diameter of about 25-30 nm. Enteroviruses are relatively stable viruses, and they can survive for long periods of time in the environment.

Enteroviruses are classified into four main groups:

Polioviruses - Polioviruses cause poliomyelitis, a paralytic disease that can lead to permanent disability or death.

Coxsackieviruses - Coxsackieviruses cause a variety of infections, including the common cold, hand, foot, and mouth disease, and myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle).

Echoviruses - Echoviruses cause a variety of infections, including the common cold, aseptic meningitis (inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord), and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

Other enteroviruses - This group includes a number of other enteroviruses that can cause a variety of infections, including the common cold, gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines), and hepatitis (inflammation of the liver).

Enteroviruses are spread through contact with infected people or animals, or through contact with contaminated objects or surfaces. Enteroviruses can also be spread through the air, but this is less common.

Enterovirus infections can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the type of virus and the person's immune system. Some enterovirus infections are mild and cause only a few days of symptoms, while others can be more severe and cause life-threatening complications.

There is no specific treatment for enterovirus infections. Treatment is supportive and includes rest, fluids, and pain relievers. Most people recover from enterovirus infections within a few weeks.

There are vaccines available to prevent some enterovirus infections, including poliovirus and coxsackievirus A16. These vaccines are recommended for children and adults who are at risk of infection.