There are many different forms of enterovirus, and often their symptoms are difficult to tell apart from a common cold or sore throat. Yet enterovirus infections can be serious. This screening test can help you understand when an infection is caused by enterovirus.
Overview
What is enterovirus?
A family of viruses that can infect anyone but are most common in children and infants.
How did I catch it?
Contact with the saliva or faeces (poo) of an infected person are the most common ways of contracting enterovirus.
What are the symptoms?
Enterovirus infections vary depending on the specific type of virus. 90% of people infected will have no symptoms. Mild symptoms include colds, sore throats and fever. Severe infections can include brain and heart conditions, pneumonia and hepatitis.
How do I get tested?
Book a simple blood test now.
Did You Know?
The simplest way to protect yourself against enteroviruses is by washing your hands frequently.
What is enterovirus?
Enterovirus is the collective name given to a group of viruses that typically live in the gastrointestinal tract (the tube that takes food from your mouth right the way through your body). There are dozens of different forms of enterovirus. Some cause polio (the only enterovirus for which there is a vaccine). The rest (non-polio enteroviruses) cause a range of symptoms which vary depending on the specific form of infection.
The two most common families of enterovirus are echoviruses and coxsackieviruses – which together account for most enteroviruses. This blood test screens for both subgroups.
Mild symptoms of enterovirus
Because there are so many forms of enterovirus, symptoms can vary significantly. 90% of all enterovirus infections won’t result in any symptoms, and those that do will most commonly be cold and flu-like symptoms. Common symptoms may also include:
- Fever
- Aching, sore muscles
- Vomiting
- A skin rash (non-itchy)
- Reddened, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
- Mouth blisters
Enterovirus complications
The variety of enteroviruses means that complications can also be wide- ranging. Certain enteroviruses can infect the brain (encephalitis), the spinal cord and brain (meningitis), the heart muscle, the tissue around the heart, or can cause breathing difficulties.
These symptoms are most likely to occur in young children, the elderly and those with impaired immune systems. If you notice wheezing, chest pains, a rapid heartbeat, blue lips or swollen legs or ankles, seek urgent medical attention.
How can I catch enterovirus?
Enterovirus spreads via contact with saliva and faeces (poo). The simplest way to avoid catching or transmitting enterovirus is to wash your hands frequently.
How do I treat enterovirus?
Polio is the only enterovirus for which we have a vaccine. The rest cannot be cured, but most enterovirus infections will pass in a few days and have no lasting effect. Rest, drinking fluids and treating pain with ibuprofen or similar can help. Antibiotics are not effective against any enterovirus.
How can this test help me?
Many of the symptoms of enterovirus are like other conditions so, for example, it can be difficult to tell whether your child’s fever or sore throat is caused by an enterovirus of something else.
This test checks for many enterovirus types, helping you take the guesswork out of managing the illness.
How do I get tested?
One simple blood test will quickly indicate whether you have an enterovirus infection.
To get tested please contact Better2Know your Body on the number above or click book now.