Enteroviruses are a group of different viruses, including polioviruses and non-polio viruses. This HealthHearty article will tell you all about the symptoms you might face when attacked by them.
Enteroviruses are a collection of different viruses which consist of both polioviruses and non-polioviruses. Polioviruses are the ones that cause polio. Other non-polio viruses include: Rhinovirusesâwhich cause common cold; echovirusesâfound in the gastrointestinal tract which can cause diarrhea, rashes, respiratory, as well as other problems; and coxsackievirusesâwhich are responsible for many other health conditions, some of them being fatal in nature. Did you know that in the United States of America only, 10 to 15 million people suffer from illnesses due to enteroviruses? How do they enter our system and what can be done to safeguard ourselves against them? All this will be explained as this article proceeds further.
Causes
Enteroviruses can enter the human body through an infected person. Infants, toddlers, kids, and adolescents are more prone to get infected, as their immune system is not as strong as healthy adults. Exposure to these viruses can be obtained from mere contact. Any human secretionânasal secretion, saliva, or other body secretionsâmay make a person prone to infection. What makes them contagious is the fact that these viruses can live at normal room temperature for days. Even if they are present in your refrigerator, they will still be active. It is only through heat and disinfectants that they can be killed. Well, this explains the causes of several illnesses that we see around, doesn’t it?
Symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. Some people may not experience any symptom at all, while some may, depending upon their immune system.
- Cold and flu
- Fever
- Skin rashes
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constant stomach aches
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat and pain
- Respiratory infections
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Gastrointestinal infections
- Pneumonia
- Hepatitis
- Chest pain
- Muscle infections
- Arthritis
- Infection in the nervous system
- Infections in the heart
- Eye infection
- Hand, foot, and mouth disease
- Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis
Treatment
The treatment depends upon the severity of the symptoms, which can be easily confused with other infections. The doctor usually advises the patient to go for a blood, stool, or throat test, to confirm the cause. If the symptoms are mild, then they usually disappear within a few days. On the other hand, treatment may be required if the symptoms appear to be more serious and bothersome. The infection can be treated with the help of an antiviral medication dose. Antibiotics do not prove to be useful for killing enteroviruses, therefore, the best thing one can do is to prevent exposure to the causal factors in the first place.
For prevention, following basic hygiene is a must. Make sure that you wash your hands regularly with an antiseptic soap. Avoid using public toilets, unless they are absolutely clean. Disinfect common surfaces, and avoid close contact with people who are unwell. Take proper preventive measures to make sure that you don’t have to look for cures.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is meant for informational purposes only and should not be considered as a replacement for expert medical advice.
