Non-Polio Enterovirus Disease

Enteroviruses are a group of viruses that include the polioviruses (viruses that cause polio) along with other types of viruses called coxsackieviruses and echoviruses. Rhinoviruses (viruses that cause the common cold) are the most common viruses infecting humans. The second most common viruses infecting humans are the non-polio enteroviruses (all the members of this virus group excluding the polio-causing viruses).

While the polioviruses have been eliminated in the Western Hemisphere, there are 62 different non-polio enteroviruses that are known to cause disease in humans. Anyone can be infected by non-polio enteroviruses, which are believed to cause 10-15 million illnesses per year in the U.S. alone. Infants, children, and adolescents are more likely than adults to develop an illness from the enteroviral infection since they are less likely to have immunity to these viruses from previous exposures.

Enterovirus disease came to national attention in early fall 2014 with an outbreak of infection caused by an enterovirus known as EV-D68 or enterovirus D68. This outbreak sent hundreds of children to the hospital, primarily in the Midwest and Southeast states. Symptoms of this infection are those of a respiratory infection similar to a cold, and many cases are mild. In others, symptoms can be severe enough to warrant intensive care in the hospital. The infection spreads from person to person. Treatment of this infection is supportive, and no vaccine is available.

QUESTION

Which illness is known as a viral upper respiratory tract infection? See Answer

Enteroviruses are spread from person to person through contact with nasal secretions, saliva, stool from an infected person, or by contact with surfaces contaminated with bodily secretions from an infected person. Non-polio enteroviruses cause a variety of different illnesses. Many people who are infected with an enterovirus will not become ill and will have no symptoms of the infection. Others will develop a respiratory illness similar to the common cold. Because infections with non-polio enteroviruses are most common during the summer and fall in the U.S., many instances of a "summer cold" are likely related to these infections.

• Enteroviruses can also cause flu-like symptoms, rash, or in rare cases, inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) or brain (encephalitis).
• Serious complications are more common in infants and those with weakened immune systems.
• These viruses are also known causes of viral (sometimes called "aseptic") meningitis.
• Enterovirus infection is a particular risk during pregnancy since newborns infected with one of these viruses can, in rare instances, develop a severe and even potentially fatal illness.
• While anyone can be infected by an enterovirus, infants, children, and teenagers are less likely than older people to have immunity from previous infections and are more likely to develop symptoms.

The condition is known as hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD), a common illness of infants and children, is also caused by some of the non-polio enteroviruses. Children suffering from this disease develop fever, sores in the mouth, and a blistering rash.

• No vaccines are available against the non-polio enteroviruses.
• Fortunately, most instances of infection with these agents lead to mild illnesses that resolve on their own or do not cause any illness.
• Strict hygienic practices, including thorough handwashing and avoiding potentially contaminated surfaces, are the best ways to prevent the spread of enteroviral infections.