ECHOvirusinfection
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ECHO virus type 9 exanthem |
Antibodies |
Alternative
names
Nonpolio Enterovirus infection
Definition
ECHO infection is a group
of infections caused by one of several types of
ECHO viruses. This can cause a wide range of diseases
including rashes, respiratory illness, croup-like
syndromes, and non-specific fevers.
Causes
and risks
ECHO viruses belong to a group of viruses called
Enterovirus. ECHO virus infections are not uncommon.
ECHO virus infections most commonly take the
form of gastrointestinal infection and skin
rashes.
More serious infections
are seen less frequently, but are of significant
importance. As many as 1 out of 5 cases of aseptic
meningitis (meningitis not caused by bacteria)
is thought to be caused by ECHO virus.
Prevention
No specific preventive measures
are available for ECHO virus infections. Currently,
no vaccines are available.
Symptoms
Different types of ECHO viruses cause a wide variety
of diseases. Symptoms vary with the type of disease
produced and can be found under the various different
diagnoses:
- Acute gastroenteritis
- Viral pharyngitis
- Herpangina (mouth
sores)
- Croup
- Upper respiratory
infection
- Pneumonia
- Pericarditis
- Myocarditis
- Aseptic meningitis
- Encephalitis
Signs
and tests
See the individual diagnoses
for specific tests. ECHO virus can be isolated
from throat, stool, and rectal swabs. It is also
isolated readily from spinal fluid.
Treatment
ECHO virus infections tend
to be self-limiting. No specific anti-viral medications
are available for ECHO virus infection at this
time. However, a new drug called pleconaril is
currently undergoing clnical trials. IVIG is sometimes
given to immunocompromised patients with severe
infections.
Prognosis
Recovery without intervention
is expected in less severe types of illness. Diseases
such as pericarditis and myocarditis may cause
severe disease and occasionally be fatal.
Complications
Complications vary with the
site and type of infection. Myocarditis and pericarditis
may be fatal while other types of infection improve
spontaneously.
Call
your health care provider if
Call your health care provider
if you have symptoms suggestive of any of the
diseases listed above. |
