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Introduction
Coxsackie virus is an enterovirus which is a common cause of cold like symptoms such as sore throats particularly in children; however adults too can be affected. The infection is transmitted through both faeces and saliva. Symptoms can vary from absolutely none, commonly known as asymptomatic right through with a fever accompanied by a sore throat and aches. Coxsackie virus typically leaves the patient infectious for just over a week and can be transferred from one person to another person, usually on unwashed hands and surfaces that have been contaminated by faeces; they can live for several days in this state. In cooler countries, outbreaks of Coxsackie virus infections most often occur through the summer and autumn months, although they cause infections all year round in tropical parts of the world.
In most cases, Coxsackie viruses cause mild flu-like symptoms and disappear without treatment. However, some times, they can lead to more severe infections. | |