In this Article

• What is Coxsackie virus?
• What are the types of Coxsackie viruses, and what can they cause?
• How do people get infected with Coxsackie virus?
• How do Coxsackie infections get diagnosed?
• Is there any treatment for Coxsackie virus infection?
• Can Coxsackie virus infections be prevented?
• What are other sources of information about Coxsackie virus?
• Coxsackie Virus Glossary
• Coxsackie Virus Index

How are Coxsackie virus infections diagnosed?

Patients are usually diagnosed by their clinical appearance. Clinically, blisters that are painful usually on the hands, feet, and mouth in a child with fever are considered diagnostic of Coxsackie virus infection. However, in rare instances, viral tests can be done to identify the virus, but the tests are expensive and usually need to be sent to a specialized viral diagnostic laboratory. This testing is almost never done since most infections are self-limited and typically mild.

Is there any treatment for Coxsackie virus infection?

There is no specific treatment for this typically self-limited disease (the symptoms resolve without specific antiviral treatment in about two to seven days). However, symptomatic treatment (acetaminophen) that reduces fever and discomfort is currently recommended. Fluids are also suggested to prevent dehydration.

Can Coxsackie virus infections be prevented?

Prevention of Coxsackie virus infections is difficult but possible. With children, keeping strict hygienic precautions is almost impossible, but good practices such as hand washing after diaper changing or touching infected skin may reduce viral transmission to other family members. Attempts to regularly clean items that children contact, especially toys, pacifiers, and any items they may place in their mouths, may also reduce viral transmission. Hand washing, in general, is the best prevention technique. Currently, there is no vaccine available.

What are other sources of information about Coxsackie virus?

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/enterovirus/non-polio_entero.htm

http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/coxsackie.html

http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/hand_foot_mouth/fact_sheet.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/enterovirus/non-polio_entero.htm

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/2941.htm

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• Hand Foot and Mouth Syndrome - Find out about hand foot and mouth syndrome (HFMD) causes (Coxsackie virus A16, Enterovirus 71), symptoms, treatment, diagnosis and infection during pregnancy.
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