Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases
Enteroviral Infection
Cause
Coxsackieviruses, echoviruses, or other enteroviruses.
Symptoms
Cold-like symptoms, sore throat, mouth sores, fever, rash, vomiting, and diarrhea are the most common symptoms. Some people may not have any symptoms.
These viruses often cause mild infections such as colds, sore throats, and intestinal illnesses. Less often enteroviruses cause pneumonia, meningitis, or encephalitis.
Spread
Enteroviruses leave the body through the feces of an infected person and enter another person when hands, food, or objects (such as toys) contaminated with feces are placed in the mouth. Spread can occur when people do not wash their hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Also, enteroviruses can be spread through droplets that are sent into the air from the nose and mouth of an infected person during sneezing, coughing, or vomiting and another person breathes them in.
Incubation
It usually takes from 3 to 6 days from the time a person is exposed until symptoms begin except for acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis which takes 24 to 72 hours.
Contagious Period
During illness and possibly for several weeks after illness (through contact with feces). Infected persons who may not seem sick are able to spread infection.
Exclusion
Child Care and School: Until the child has been free of diarrhea and/or vomiting for at least 24 hours. For mild, cold-like symptoms: None, as long as the child is well enough to participate in routine activities.
Treatment
No specific treatment for these viruses. Vomiting and diarrhea may lead to dehydration, which may be a medical emergency. Ask a healthcare provider how to prevent dehydration.
Prevention/Control
- Cover nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing and coughing or cough/sneeze into your sleeve. Dispose of used tissues.
- Regular and thorough handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water after using the toilet, changing diapers, touching nasal secretions, and before preparing or eating food. Staff should closely monitor or assist all children, as appropriate, with handwashing after children have used the bathroom or been diapered.
- Clean and disinfect diapering area and potty chairs after each use and bathroom toilets, sinks, and toys at least daily and when soiled. Clean and sanitize mouthed objects and surfaces at least daily and when soiled.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.
Enteroviruses Parent Fact Sheet
Your child may have been exposed to:
Enteroviruses
Enteroviruses cause a variety of illnesses.
If you think your child has Enteroviral Infection:
- Tell your child care provider or call the school.
- Need to stay home?
- Child Care and School:
Yes, until the child has been free of diarrhea and vomiting for at least 24 hours.
For mild, cold-like symptoms: none, as long as the child is well enough to participate in routine activities.
- Child Care and School:
Symptoms
Your child may have cold-like symptoms with fever. Sore throat, mouth sores, rash, vomiting, and diarrhea are the most common symptoms.
If your child is infected, it may take 3 to 6 days for symptoms to start.
Spread
- By coughing or sneezing.
- By touching contaminated hands, surfaces, or objects.
- By eating or drinking contaminated food or beverages.
Contagious Period
During symptoms and as long as the virus is in the feces. This could be for several weeks.
Call your Healthcare Provider
- No specific treatment is available. Ask how to prevent dehydration. Your child may become dehydrated due to vomiting or diarrhea.
Prevention
- Cover nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing. Use a tissue or your sleeve. Dispose of used tissues.
- Wash hands after touching anything that could be contaminated with the secretions from the mouth or nose or with feces and before preparing food or eating. Your child may need help with handwashing.
- Clean and disinfect any objects that come in contact with feces or secretions from the nose or mouth. This includes toilets (potty chairs), sinks, toys, diaper changing areas, and surfaces. Use a product that kills viruses.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7), or call your local health department.