Enterovirus 71

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University of Oklahoma Study Abroad Microbiology in Arezzo, Italy[1]

Etiology/Bacteriology

Taxonomy

ssRNA positive-strand viruses, no DNA stage | Order = Picornavirales | Family = Picornaviridae | Genus = Enterovirus | species = Enterovirus A

Clinical Features

Symptoms

EV71 infections can cause a wide range of symptoms. The most common feature is hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD). HFMD usually occurs in children and is generally mild. It consists of a papulovesicular rash on the palms and soles as well as multiple oral ulcers. In children under the age of two, atypical rashes are frequently seen. Other symptoms that can occur from EV71 are upper respiratory infections, fever, gastroenteritis, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. In a Tawainese outbreak of EV71 infections, many adults remained symptom free, however, more than 20% of them developed an upper respiratory infection.
EV71 infections can also cause neurological and systemic problems. Aseptic meningitis, acute flaccid paralysis, encephalitis (usually in the brainstem). These symptoms are usually successive to or in conjunction with HFMD.

Treatment

For hand-foot-and-mouth disease, there is no particular treatment. Symptoms typically clear up within seven to 10 days from the day of infection. To relieve pain from mouth sores that develop, an oral anesthetic can be used. The treatment of the general pain associated with the disease can be treated with over the counter drugs such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.