Paediatrics: Exanthem 4: enteroviruses

Exanthem 4: enteroviruses

The majority of infections due to human enteroviruses (coxsackie viruses, echoviruses, and polio viruses) produce non-specific illness. They occur in the summer and autumn months, and occasionally there are characteristic features including the following:

•   Meningoencephalitis: aseptic meningitis with an associated skin rash, which can present like meningococcal septicaemia.

•   Pleurodynia: febrile illness with pleuritic chest pain and tender thoracic muscles.

•   Myocarditis.

•   Hand, foot, and mouth disease: painful vesicles on the hands, feet, mouth, and tongue.

•   Herpangina: vesicular and ulcerated lesions on the soft palate and uvula.

•   Polio: this condition should be eradicated with effective global immunization.