Coxsackie virus A16 and Enterovirus 71 (EV71): The causative agent of hand, foot and mouth disease

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor II Cao Thi Thanh - Pediatrician - Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by viruses, including Coxsackie virus A16 and Enterovirus 71 (EV71). Symptoms of the disease are fever, blisters appear on the palms, soles and inside the mouth.

1. Overview of hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease is an infectious disease caused by a virus. The characteristic manifestation of the disease is fever, the appearance of blisters concentrated on the palms, soles and inside the mouth.
Children under 5 years old are the most susceptible to hand, foot and mouth disease. Especially focus on the age group under 3 years old, because this is the age when children go to school in kindergartens and kindergartens - places with elements of collective activities, the risk of disease transmission is high, especially during outbreaks. broadcast. However, it is still possible that adolescents and adults also develop this condition.
In Vietnam, the disease occurs in all localities, however, the highest incidence is in the southern provinces. Hand, foot and mouth disease tends to increase at two times from March to May and from September to December every year.

2. What is the cause of hand, foot and mouth disease?

Hand, foot and mouth disease is an infectious disease that spreads from person to person caused by an intestinal virus and is transmitted mainly through the gastrointestinal tract. The disease is spread through normal person-to-person contact with an infected person through:
Nasal secretions or throat secretions when conversing; Saliva, salivary secretions; Fluid from blisters when they burst; In a crowded place after a sick person coughs or sneezes. Hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by viruses of the enterovirus family. The patient was identified as having hand, foot and mouth infection when testing positive for Coxsackievirus A virus from 2 to 8, 10, 12, 14, 16; Coxsackievirus B 1, 2, 3, 5; Enterovirus 71- Hand, foot and mouth EV71.

When infected with hand, foot and mouth virus, the main symptoms are skin and mucosal lesions in the form of blisters in special locations such as oral mucosa, palms, soles, buttocks, and knees. Cases of severe complications of hand, foot and mouth disease are often caused by EV71, if not detected early and treated promptly, can cause many dangerous complications leading to death such as encephalitis - meningoencephalitis, myocarditis, pulmonary edema.
How long does hand, foot and mouth virus live?
According to health experts, the virus that causes hand, foot and mouth disease can survive in the stool of an infected person for up to 4 weeks after the patient has stopped showing symptoms. Because of this, absolutely do not be subjective to avoid spreading pathogens.

3. Precautions

Maintain clean hygiene: Dental hygiene for children; Wash children's hands before eating; Caregivers need to wash their hands before preparing and preparing food, after going to the toilet, especially every time the baby's diaper is changed; Carry out cooked food, drink boiling; Parents do not let their children go to class when they are sick, only let them go to class when the mouth sores and blisters have completely disappeared; Use chloramin B 2% to clean school tools, toys and other tools frequently used by children. Soak, rinse with boiling water with eating utensils such as bowls, chopsticks, cups before eating and using. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent hand, foot and mouth disease for children, parents when detecting symptoms of illness in children should quickly take their children to medical facilities for timely examination and treatment to avoid dangerous complications. dangerous.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.