A child in the school has been infected with coxsackie virus. There is no cause for alarm, but there are steps you should take to minimize risk of infection. It is very contagious, but in most cases, mild, flu-like symptoms go away without treatment. It is usually passed from person to person on unwashed hands and contaminated surfaces. It can also be spread by droplets of fluid sprayed when someone sneezes or coughs. Coxsackie virus can cause a wide variety of symptoms. 1/2 of all kids infected have no symptoms, others develop high fever,(lasting 3 days) headache, sore throat and muscle aches. Abdominal discomfort and nausea are also common.
Different body parts are also affected, including:
*hand, foot and mouth disease, where painful, red blisters appear in the mouth, on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.
*herpangina, an infection of the throat, causes red-ringed blisters on the tonsils at the back of the throat.
*hemmoragic conjunctivitis affects the whites of the eyes beginning with pain, becoming red and watery with some swelling.
Occasionally, coxsackievirus can cause more serious infections including:
*viral meningitis, encephalitis, myocarditis.
Good hand-washing is the best protection. Remind everyone in your family to wash frequently, especially after using the bathroom, before eating and preparing food.
If you suspect your child has coxsackievirus, call your pediatrician for guidance. Children who are sick with coxsackie virus should be kept out of school for a few days to avoid spreading the infection. Please call or e-mail me if your child has an MD-confirmed case of coxsackie virus.
Thank you,
Sue Barbato, RN
