Get to know Enterovirus

Enterovirus is a virus that enters the body through the digestive system and causes problems. Besides causing digestive system problems, enterovirus can also attack the nervous system. Polio virus is included in enterovirus.

Also read: New viruses found in pigs are potentially dangerous to humans

Enteroviruses are viruses that are formed from protein and ribonucleic acid (RNA). In addition to the polio virus, enteroviruses that can cause disease in humans include the Coxsackie virus (Coxsackie A virus and Coxsackie B virus), echo viruses and other enteroviruses.
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In the body, enterovirus is found in respiratory tract mucus (for example in saliva, phlegm and snot) and in the feces of an infected person. Transmission of enterovirus through direct contact with patients or objects used by patients. For example, eating equipment with patients. Transmission can also occur when someone holds or comes into direct contact with food or something that has been contaminated with patient feces.

Enterovirus infection does not always cause symptoms. Most infected people feel good. However, an infected person who does not have these symptoms can already transmit enterovirus to others. Although it causes complaints, the symptoms of enterovirus infection are very similar to flu symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and rashes.

In rare cases, enterovirus infection can cause inflammation of the brain wall (meningitis), inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) or inflammation of the brain (encephalitis). Enterovirus is considered to contribute to the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus, although until now there has been no causal relationship that has occurred between the two. Infants infected with enterovirus are at risk of being infected in many organs, such as the liver and heart. Death is usually due to this infection.

Also read: Hantavirus

Cerebral inflammation (meningitis) caused by enterovirus usually does not cause long-term complications. For cases of enterovirus paralysis, healing is generally unsatisfactory. People with heart failure due to myocarditis caused by enterovirus will usually need long-term treatment.

Besides polio, enterovirus vaccine is not yet available. Washing your hands diligently is one way to avoid enterovirus infection.

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