Coxsackie virus is a highly contagious enterovirus that can cause a range of health conditions, including stomach flu, rashes, and heart problems. It is transmitted through improper hygiene and contaminated food and water. There is no cure or vaccination for the virus, but supportive care can help manage symptoms.
Coxsackie virus is a generic term for a virus in the Picornaviridae family, part of a group of viruses known as enteroviruses that can cause a number of health conditions. There are several serotypes of Coxsackie virus, including groups known as Coxsackie A and B. Like other enteroviruses, Coxsackie virus lives in the intestinal tract and is highly virulent, being easily transmitted between people with active viral infections. Many people are infected with a virus in this group at some point in their lives, and some people carry the Coxsackie virus without experiencing any symptoms.
These viruses are named after a city in upstate New York where they were first discovered. They are transmitted between people when improper hygiene is observed, such as in daycare, while children are not scrupulous about washing their hands after using the toilet. It can also spread through contaminated food and water. Most Coxsackie viruses are highly contagious but rarely cause serious symptoms.
Most commonly, people experience what they call the “stomach flu” when they are infected with a Coxsackie virus. They may have a slight fever, chills, diarrhea, cramps and vomiting, and the condition clears up on its own within a few days. In some cases, people develop rashes, which can develop into foot and mouth disease, a condition that occurs mainly in young children; hand, foot and mouth is not the same as, incidentally, the animal disease known as foot and mouth disease or hoof and mouth. People can also develop herpangina, or sores in the mouth, along with hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the eye.
More seriously, the Coxsackie virus can enter the heart, where it can cause serious health problems. Viral infections of the heart can be difficult to treat and can cause permanent damage or lead to the need for a heart transplant to replace a badly damaged heart. These viruses can also lead to meningitis, a serious viral infection of the brain, and some studies have linked them to diabetes and other health conditions.
There is no cure or vaccination for Coxsackie virus infection. Many patients recover with supportive care to manage pain or discomfort associated with the infection. In the event that a more serious infection emerges, the patient will usually need to be hospitalized to manage the infection and its symptoms. If a patient develops confusion, joint pain, dizziness, or an altered level of consciousness, it’s time to see a doctor for serious medical attention.
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