What is enterovirus and main symptoms of infection

Enteroviruses correspond to a genus of viruses whose main means of replication is the gastrointestinal tract, causing symptoms such as fever, vomiting and sore throat. Diseases caused by enteroviruses are highly infectious and more common in children, as adults have a more developed immune system, responding better to infections.

The main enterovirus is poliovirus, which is the virus that causes polio, and which, when it reaches the nervous system, can result in limb paralysis and altered motor coordination. The transmission of the virus happens mainly through the ingestion of food and / or water contaminated by the virus or contact with people or objects also contaminated. Thus, the best way to prevent infections is by improving hygiene habits, in addition to vaccination, in the case of polio.

Main symptoms and diseases caused by enterovirus

The presence and / or absence of symptoms related to enterovirus infection depends on the type of virus, its virulence and the person's immune system. In most cases of infection, symptoms are not seen and the disease resolves naturally. However, in the case of children, mainly, as the immune system is poorly developed, it is possible that symptoms such as headache, fever, vomiting, sore throat, skin sores and ulcers inside the mouth, depending on the type of virus, in addition to a higher risk of complications.

Enteroviruses can reach several organs, the symptoms and severity of the disease depending on the affected organ. Thus, the main diseases caused by enteroviruses are:

Poliomyelitis: Polio, also called infantile paralysis, is caused by poliovirus, a type of enterovirus capable of reaching the nervous system and causing paralysis of limbs, changes in motor coordination, joint pain and muscle atrophy; Hand-foot-mouth syndrome: This disease is highly contagious and is caused by the Coxsackie type enterovirus that causes, in addition to fever, diarrhea and vomiting, the appearance of blisters on the hands and feet and mouth sores; Herpangina: Herpangina can be caused by the Coxsackie type enterovirus and the Herpes simplex virus and is characterized by the presence of sores inside and outside the mouth, in addition to a red and irritated throat; Viral meningitis: This type of meningitis happens when the enterovirus reaches the nervous system and causes inflammation of the meninges, which are the membranes that line the brain and spinal cord, leading to symptoms such as fever, headache, stiff neck and increased sensitivity the light; Encephalitis: In viral encephalitis, the enterovirus causes inflammation in the brain, and must be treated quickly in order to avoid possible complications, such as muscle paralysis, visual changes and difficulties to speak or hear; Hemorrhagic conjunctivitis: In the case of viral conjunctivitis, the enterovirus comes in direct contact with the lining of the eye, causing inflammation of the eyes and minor bleeding, which makes the eye red.

The transmission of the enterovirus occurs mainly through consumption or contact with contaminated materials, with the fecal-oral route being the main route of infection. Contamination occurs when the enterovirus is swallowed, the digestive tract being the main site of multiplication of this virus, hence the name enterovirus.

In addition to fecal-oral transmission, the virus can also be transmitted through droplets dispersed in the air, as the enterovirus can also cause lesions in the throat, however this form of transmission is less frequent.

Risks of enterovirus infection in pregnancy

Infection with enterovirus during pregnancy poses a risk to the baby when the infection is not identified and treatment is started on the baby shortly after birth. This is because the baby may have contact with the virus even during pregnancy and, after birth, due to the little development of its immune system, developing signs and symptoms characteristic of sepsis, in which the virus reaches the bloodstream and spreads easily. to other bodies.

Thus, the enterovirus can reach the central nervous system, liver, pancreas and heart and in a few days cause multiple failure of the baby's organs, resulting in death. Therefore, it is important that the infection by enterovirus is identified in pregnancy with the aim of starting treatment in the baby and preventing complications soon after birth.

How to treat

The treatment of enterovirus infections aims, in most cases, to relieve symptoms, since there is no specific treatment for most infections caused by this type of virus. Usually the symptoms of the infection disappear on their own after a while, but when the enterovirus reaches the bloodstream or the central nervous system, it can be fatal, requiring treatment according to the doctor's guidance.

In the case of involvement of the central nervous system, the administration of immunoglobulin in the vein may be recommended by the doctor, so that the body can fight the infection more easily. Some drugs to prevent infection by enterovirus are in the testing phase, are not yet regulated and released for use.

Currently there is only a vaccine against the enterovirus responsible for polio, the poliovirus, and the vaccine should be administered in 5 doses, the first at 2 months of age. In the case of other types of enteroviruses, it is important to adopt hygiene measures and have access to the best sanitation conditions in order to prevent contamination of water used for consumption or other purposes, since the main route of transmission of these viruses is fecal- oral. See when to get the polio vaccine.

How the diagnosis is made

The initial diagnosis of enterovirus infection is made from the clinical manifestations described by the patient, requiring laboratory tests to confirm the infection. The laboratory diagnosis of the infection by enterovirus is made by means of molecular tests, mainly the Polymerase Chain Reaction, also called PCR, in which the type of virus and its concentration in the body is identified.

The virus can also be identified by isolating this virus in specific culture media in order to verify its replication characteristics. This virus can be isolated from several biological materials, such as feces, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), secretion of throat and blood depending on the symptoms described by the person. In feces, enterovirus can be detected up to 6 weeks after infection and can be detected in the throat between 3 to 7 days from the onset of infection.

Serological tests may also be requested to check the immune system's response to infection, however this type of test is not widely used to diagnose enterovirus infections.