Everything you need to know about the Coxsackie virus

Alarming information has appeared in the media that Turkish resorts are allegedly gripped by an epidemic of an infectious disease caused by the Coxsackie virus. "The disease has besieged all the seaside resorts of the country," the REN TV channel reported, reporting the premature return of dozens of Russian tourists from vacations. However, the Turkish authorities categorically deny such reports.

How dangerous is the Coxsackie virus, about its symptoms, treatment and possible ways of infection, read our material.

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What is the Coxsackie virus

Coxsackie virus refers to enteroviruses that multiply in the gastrointestinal tract. It causes a viral infectious process — enterovirus stomatitis with exanthema. This infection was first discovered in the small town of Coxsackie in the USA. About 30 varieties of the Coxsackie virus are known.

A large group of viral particles is divided into two classes: A-type and B-type. The difference is what complications appear after the transfer of infections initiated by one of the two types of Coxsackie virus.

Who is at risk of Coxsackie virus infection

These viruses are considered "children's", since mainly children from 3 to 10 years old get sick. In adults, the disease is extremely rare. After the transfer of the disease caused by the Coxsackie virus, a person develops a strong immunity to infection and re-infection is excluded.

It is believed that children up to 3 months of age are protected from this enterovirus, and after 10-12 years, almost everyone already has experience of infection, after which a stable immunity is developed. Thus, children older than 3 months and up to 12 years old fall into the risk group for Coxsackie virus infection, but the peak of the disease falls on the period from 3 to 10 years. It is believed that it is impossible to raise a child and never encounter an enterovirus infection.

How does Coxsackie virus infection occur

Any enterovirus infections are considered dirty hand diseases, and the Coxsackie virus is no exception. It is possible to get infected with the Coxsackie virus from a human carrier, both ill and in the absence of signs of the disease. The virus spreads by oral-fecal means — that is, it is introduced into the mouth with dirty hands. Enteroviruses, including the Coxsackie virus, get into the oral mucosa, are absorbed into the bloodstream and end up in the intestine through the bloodstream, where the virus multiplies and exits with feces.

The Coxsackie virus can remain viable in the external environment for a long time, infection by airborne droplets, through infected products that have not undergone heat treatment, and even water is possible.

Symptoms and signs of Coxsackie virus infection

The incubation period lasts from 2 to 10 days, most often the disease manifests itself on the 3rd-4th day.

The first symptom of the Coxsackie virus in a baby may be the appearance of ulcers and watery pimples. As a rule, they become a consequence of a developing infection. The place of their localization is usually the legs and arms of the child, but doctors also find them in the oral cavity. Over time and the development of the virus, ulcers may appear all over the body, but they will mainly be located around the mouth. The hand-foot-mouth syndrome is also often observed — the rash appears simultaneously on the oral mucosa, palms and feet.

The second symptom of the Coxsackie virus can be a child's poor health. He will not sleep well and eat well. So, because of abscesses in the oral cavity, it will be extremely difficult for parents to feed the baby, since any contact with the affected areas can cause pain. In addition, the baby will be sedentary and his interest in games and any other activity familiar to him will drop sharply.

The third sign of the Coxsackie virus in a child may be a fever. It rises in just a few hours and may not decrease for about three days. Since this virus is an infectious disease that is not directly related to this indicator, antipyretic medications will be powerless in the fight against high fever.

As a rule, doctors recommend that when the first ulcers are detected, contact the polyclinic so that the appearance of further symptoms can be avoided. In order to detect the virus, you need to conduct a laboratory study.

Treatment and prevention of Coxsackie virus

To date, no vaccine has been received from the Coxsackie virus, however, as well as from other enteroviruses. The only prevention is personal hygiene. But since one of the ways of transmission of the virus is airborne, then this method is not a panacea. It is desirable that the child is less in crowded places, especially during the epidemic period. It is not necessary to swallow water from the pool, it is recommended to drink only special drinking water from clean dishes.

Treatment of children includes:

A number of medications are also used — local antiseptics, antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce headaches and fever. A rash on the skin is treated with fucortsin or a solution of brilliant green (zelenka). Antiviral agents are used only in severe infection.

In most cases, the disease gradually passes within 7-10 days with symptomatic treatment. In rare cases, complications may develop in the form of dehydration, meningitis or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).