Coxsackie A virus
Encyclopedia
Coxsackie A virus is a cytolytic coxsackie virus of the Picornaviridae family, an enterovirus
(a group containing the poliovirus
es, coxsackieviruses, and echovirus
es).
(unrelated to foot and mouth disease), a common childhood illness which affects mostly children aged 10 or under, often produced by Coxsackie A16. In most cases infection is asymptomatic
or causes only mild symptoms. In others, infection produces short-lived (7–10 days) fever
and painful blister
s in the mouth (a condition known as herpangina
), on the palms and fingers of the hand, or on the soles of the feet. There can also be blister
s in the throat, or on or above the tonsil
s. Adults can also be affected. The rash, which can appear several days after high temperature and painful sore throat, can be itchy and painful, especially on the hands/fingers and bottom of feet.
Other diseases include acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis
(A24 specifically), herpangina
, and aseptic meningitis
(both Coxsackie A and B viruses).
There is no known cure or vaccine against the coxsackie.
Enterovirus
Enteroviruses are a genus of ssRNA viruses associated with several human and mammalian diseases. Serologic studies have distinguished 66 human enterovirus serotypes on the basis of antibody neutralization tests. Additional antigenic variants have been defined within several of the serotypes on the...
(a group containing the poliovirus
Poliovirus
Poliovirus, the causative agent of poliomyelitis, is a human enterovirus and member of the family of Picornaviridae.Poliovirus is composed of an RNA genome and a protein capsid. The genome is a single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome that is about 7500 nucleotides long. The viral particle is...
es, coxsackieviruses, and echovirus
Echovirus
An ECHO virus, is a type of RNA virus that belongs to the genus Enterovirus of the Picornaviridae family...
es).
Diseases
The most well known Coxsackie A disease is Hand, foot and mouth diseaseHand, foot and mouth disease
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a human syndrome caused by intestinal viruses of the Picornaviridae family. The most common strains causing HFMD are Coxsackie A virus and Enterovirus 71 ....
(unrelated to foot and mouth disease), a common childhood illness which affects mostly children aged 10 or under, often produced by Coxsackie A16. In most cases infection is asymptomatic
Asymptomatic
In medicine, a disease is considered asymptomatic if a patient is a carrier for a disease or infection but experiences no symptoms. A condition might be asymptomatic if it fails to show the noticeable symptoms with which it is usually associated. Asymptomatic infections are also called subclinical...
or causes only mild symptoms. In others, infection produces short-lived (7–10 days) fever
Fever
Fever is a common medical sign characterized by an elevation of temperature above the normal range of due to an increase in the body temperature regulatory set-point. This increase in set-point triggers increased muscle tone and shivering.As a person's temperature increases, there is, in...
and painful blister
Blister
A blister is a small pocket of fluid within the upper layers of the skin, typically caused by forceful rubbing , burning, freezing, chemical exposure or infection. Most blisters are filled with a clear fluid called serum or plasma...
s in the mouth (a condition known as herpangina
Herpangina
Herpangina, also called mouth blisters, is the name of a painful mouth infection caused by coxsackieviruses. Usually, herpangina is produced by one particular strain of coxsackie virus A but it can also be caused by coxsackievirus B or echoviruses. Most cases of herpangina occur in the summer,...
), on the palms and fingers of the hand, or on the soles of the feet. There can also be blister
Blister
A blister is a small pocket of fluid within the upper layers of the skin, typically caused by forceful rubbing , burning, freezing, chemical exposure or infection. Most blisters are filled with a clear fluid called serum or plasma...
s in the throat, or on or above the tonsil
Tonsil
Palatine tonsils, occasionally called the faucial tonsils, are the tonsils that can be seen on the left and right sides at the back of the throat....
s. Adults can also be affected. The rash, which can appear several days after high temperature and painful sore throat, can be itchy and painful, especially on the hands/fingers and bottom of feet.
Other diseases include acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis refers to inflammation of the conjunctiva...
(A24 specifically), herpangina
Herpangina
Herpangina, also called mouth blisters, is the name of a painful mouth infection caused by coxsackieviruses. Usually, herpangina is produced by one particular strain of coxsackie virus A but it can also be caused by coxsackievirus B or echoviruses. Most cases of herpangina occur in the summer,...
, and aseptic meningitis
Meningitis
Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms, and less commonly by certain drugs...
(both Coxsackie A and B viruses).
Treatment
Treatment is dependent on the disease process initiated by the virus.There is no known cure or vaccine against the coxsackie.
See also
- Bornholm diseaseBornholm diseaseBornholm disease or epidemic pleurodynia or epidemic myalgia is a disease caused by the Coxsackie B virus or other viruses.It is named after the Danish island Bornholm where early cases occurred.-Signs and symptoms:...
- Coxsackie B virus