Key points
- Non-polio enterovirus infections are common, usually affecting infants, children, and teenagers.
- Most people experience a mild illness with symptoms like the common cold, but some people can have serious complications.
- To prevent spreading the virus, wash your hands often, clean and disinfect surfaces, and avoid close contact with others.
What it is
Non-polio enteroviruses cause about 10 to 15 million infections and tens of thousands of hospitalizations each year in the United States. Infections with non-polio enteroviruses are common during summer and fall.
Most people who get infected do not get sick or they only have mild illness, like the common cold. Some people can have serious complications, especially infants and people with weakened immune systems.
Types
A mix of enteroviruses circulates every year, and different types can be common in different years. Three better-known non-polio enteroviruses are enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), enterovirus A71 (EV-A71), and coxsackie virus A6 (CV-A6). EV-D68 usually causes respiratory illness. EV-A71 and CV-A6 are known to cause hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD).
Signs and symptoms
Infants, children, and teenagers are more likely than adults to get infected and become sick. Adults can also become infected but are less likely to have symptoms, or symptoms may be milder.
Symptoms of mild illness may include:
- Fever
- Runny nose, sneezing, cough
- Skin rash
- Mouth blisters
- Body and muscle aches
Who is at risk
Non-polio enteroviruses are common. Children are more likely than adults to get infected and become sick because they do not yet have immunity (protection) from earlier exposures to the viruses.
Infants and people with weakened immune systems have a greater chance of having complications from non-polio enteroviruses.
Pregnancy and infection
If you are pregnant and infected with non-polio enterovirus shortly before delivery, you can pass the virus to your baby. These babies usually have only mild illness, but in rare cases they may have severe infection.
Someone who is pregnant is likely to be exposed at some point in their pregnancy to someone who is infected. But most pregnant people, like other adults, have immunity from previous exposures. If you do get infected, you will likely not have symptoms or only experience a mild illness.
There is no clear evidence that an infection during pregnancy increases the risk of serious complications like miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital defects.
How it spreads
You can spread the virus for weeks!
Once infected, you can spread the virus (pass from your body into the environment or other people) for several weeks, even if you don't have symptoms.
Mothers who are breastfeeding should talk with their doctor if they are sick or think they may have an infection.
If someone is sick, the virus can be found in their:
- Eye, nose, and mouth secretions, such as saliva, nasal mucus, or sputum
- Fluid from blisters
- Poop
You can get non-polio enterovirus from:
- Close contact with an infected person, such as touching or shaking hands.
- Touching objects or surfaces with the virus, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Changing diapers of an infected person and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Drinking water that has the virus in it.
Prevention
Many people who get infected with non-polio enteroviruses do not have symptoms but can still spread the virus to other people. This makes it difficult to prevent them from spreading.
To help prevent catching or spreading non-polio enterovirus infections:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers, using the toilet, and coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and shared items.
- Avoid close contact with an infected person, such touching or shaking hands.
There is no vaccine to protect you from non-polio enterovirus infection.
Treatment and recovery
There is no specific treatment for non-polio enterovirus infection. Most people recover completely.
People with a mild illness typically only need to treat their symptoms by:
- Drinking enough water to stay hydrated
- Taking over-the-counter cold medications as needed
However, some illnesses caused by non-polio enteroviruses can be serious enough to require hospitalization. If you are concerned about your symptoms, contact your health care provider.