Summer illnesses: Enteroviruses and the summer cold

Last week I wrote about hand, foot, and mouth disease, which is often caused by a type of enterovirus known as coxsackievirus. There are other types of enteroviruses that can also cause illness during the summer months. One serious enterovirus is poliovirus, which causes polio. Fortunately, vaccination programs have eradicated polio from the United States, and vaccines continue to protect children from this serious illness. Other types of enterovirus cause much milder illness. For instance, some enteroviruses cause what is sometimes called a “summer cold.”

Summer colds are just what they sound like: mild respiratory infections that occur during the summer. Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, runny nose, sore throat, and generally not feeling well. Sometimes enteroviruses can cause stomach illness, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach ache. Someone can be infected with an enterovirus and not have any symptoms, too.

Enteroviruses spread easily from person to person. They can be spread through respiratory secretions like mucus or saliva or through contact with the stool of an infected person. The virus can also survive for several days on a surface, so infection can also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces.

Treatment for these enteroviruses depends on symptoms. Since they are viruses, antibiotics will not help. Your child’s health care provider may recommend a fever reducer if your child has a fever. It is important to make sure your child is drinking enough to prevent dehydration. Getting plenty of rest and eating healthily will also help your child recover, and can help your child stay healthy anytime, too.

Regular hand washing and routine cleaning and disinfecting can help prevent the spread of enteroviruses. Good respiratory etiquette (covering or “catching” coughs and sneezes) can also help to prevent the spread of enteroviruses.