Coxsackievirus Infection

This is an infection caused by one of the coxsackieviruses. These viruses infect the digestive system. Infections are most common in children. Hand, foot and mouth disease is one example of a disease caused by a coxsackievirus. There are others, too.

Causes

Coxsackieviruses spread easily from person to person. The viruses live in the poop of infected people. If your child touches a surface with infected poop on it, they can spread it to their mouth and swallow it. The viruses are also carried in droplets from coughs and sneezes. And, it's found in the fluid inside an infected person's blisters.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms? Well they can vary depending on the specific virus causing the infection. Some infections cause no symptoms. With others, a child may have things like fever, headaches and muscle aches. They may have a sore throat, stomach pain and nausea. They may have sores on the skin or inside the mouth. These viruses can affect the eyes, causing pain, sensitivity and other issues. And in some cases, they cause more serious problems.

Treatment

How do we treat an infection? Most often, kids recover at home. You may be able to give them medicine to help their symptoms. Often, a child will recover in two to seven days. For more serious infections, follow a doctor's instructions.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.