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ECHO virus infection Causes and Risks:
ECHO viruses belong to a group of viruses called Enterovirus. ECHO virus infections are not uncommon. However, the diseases they cause are seldom identified as being caused by ECHO viruses.The diseases most commonly take the form of gastrointestinal infection and skin rashes . More serious infection is seen less frequently but are of significant importance. As many as one out of five cases of aseptic meningitis is thought to be caused by ECHO virus.
Prevention:
No specific preventive measures are available for ECHO virus infections. Currently, no vaccines are available.
Symptoms:
Different types of ECHO viruses cause a wide variety of diseases. Symptoms vary with the type of disease produced and can be found under the various different diagnoses:
Signs and Tests:
See the individual diagnoses.
Treatment:
ECHO virus infections tend to be self-limiting. No specific anti-viral medications are available for ECHO virus infection.
Prognosis:
Recovery without intervention is expectedin less severe types of illness. Diseases such as pericarditis and myocarditis may cause severe disease and occasionally be fatal.
Complications:
Complications vary with the site and type of infection. Myocarditis and pericarditis may be fatal while other types of infection improve spontaneously.
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms suggestive of any of the diseases listed above.
Many viruses cause skin rashes (exanthem). This child was diagnosed with an ECHO virus infection. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
(Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
Many viruses cause skin rashes (exanthem). This child was diagnosed with an ECHO virus infection. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
(Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
(Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.)
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