coxsackievirus

Coxsackieviruses are members of the large family of enteroviruses. These are viruses that infect via chiefly the gastrointestinal tract (the so-called fecal-oral route of transmission), although also via the respiratory tract.

There are many viral types or strains identified by antibody testing (rarely bothered with) or viral cultures (even more rarely done). These different strains may cause all manner of different symptoms.

common cold symptoms
pharyngitis - sore throat
herpangina - severe sore throat with ulcerations around the tonsils
stomatitis - mouth ulcers more to the front of the mouth and tongue, similar to herpes (cold sore) virus infections
viral pneumonia
pleurodynia - chest pain with breathing caused by inflammation of the membranes around the lungs
rash - exanthem
viral meningitis or encephalitis
gastroenteritis with vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
hepatitis
acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis of the eye
myopericarditis of the heart

Some types of coxsackievirus are associated with specific clinical diseases:

coxsackievirus A16 and enterovirus 71 with hand-foot-mouth disease
coxsackievirus A24 and enterovirus 70 with acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis
coxsackieviruses B1-B5 with myopericarditis

Because these viruses spread chiefly by contact with fecal excretions, scrupulous handwashing is always the best defense against spread of these infections.

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