Enterovirus

Non-polio enteroviruses are very common viruses. About ten to fifteen million people are infected in the United States annually. Anyone can get infected with non-polio enteroviruses. Infants, children, and teenagers are more likely to get infected and become sick because they don’t yet have immunity (protection) from previous exposures to the viruses.

Most people who get infected with non-polio enteroviruses do not get sick. Mild illness, like the common cold may occur with symptoms of fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, skin rash, mouth blisters and body aches. Some may get very sick and have infection in the heart, brain or even become paralyzed. Infants and people with weakened immune systems have a greater chance of having these complications. Newborns infected may develop sepsis (infection of the blood and other organs). Enterovirus infections may assist the development of type 1 diabetes in children.

There is no specific treatment for non-polio enterovirus infection. People with mild illness caused typically only need symptom treatment and usually recover completely. Supplements that help with immune boosting, cough and cold symptoms, and anti-viral support may offer some relief.  However, some illnesses caused by non-polio enteroviruses can require hospitalization. If you are concerned about your symptoms, you should contact your health care provider.

You can get infected with non-polio enteroviruses by having close contact with an infected person or touching objects or surfaces that have the virus on them and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. The virus can be found in feces, saliva, nasal mucus, sputum, and blister fluid. In the US, people are more likely to get infected in the summer and fall.

Non-polio enterovirus can be shed (passed from a person's body into the environment) in your stool for several weeks or longer after you have been infected. The virus can be shed from your respiratory tract for one to three weeks or less. Infected people can shed the virus even if they don't have symptoms.

There is no vaccine to protect you from non-polio enterovirus infection. Since many infected people do not have symptoms, it is difficult to prevent non-polio enteroviruses from spreading. You can help protect yourself and others from non-polio enterovirus infections by washing hands often with soap and water, avoid contact with those who are sick, and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.

- Mona Claypoole, Director of Marketing and Wellness Support