Coxsackie viruses (synonyms: coxsackievirus infection; coxsackievirus disease; hand-foot-mouth exanthema; ICD-10-GM B34.1: infection due to enteroviruses of unspecified localization) are RNA viruses and belong to the enterovirus genus, the picornavirus family. Serotypes A and B can be distinguished, which in turn can be divided into several subgroups. The picornaviruses also include the polioviruses (causative agent of poliomyelitis/childhood polio) and the hepatitis A virus.
Coxsackie viruses are considered to be the causative agent of many different diseases.
Humans currently represent the only relevant pathogen reservoir.
Occurrence: Infections occur worldwide and have a high infectivity.
The contagiousness (infectiousness or transmissibility of the pathogen) is high.
The pathogens are relatively insensitive to disinfectants.
The disease occurs more frequently in the summer months.
Transmission of the pathogen (route of infection) is fecal-oral (infections in which pathogens excreted with feces (fecal) are ingested via the mouth (oral), e.g., through contaminated drinking water and/or contaminated food). Transmission through respiratory tract secretions or smear infection (e.g., conjunctivitis/conjunctivitis) is also possible.
Human-to-human transmission: Yes.
Incubation period (time from infection to onset of disease) averages 1-2 weeks, but may be 2-35 days.
Peak incidence: The disease occurs predominantly in children.
The period of infectivity (contagiousness) begins 2-3 days before the onset of the disease and persists for the duration of the symptoms. The virus can be detected in the stool for up to several weeks.
The disease leaves a type-specific immunity.
Course and prognosis: Therapy is symptomatic. The course is usually mild. Complications are observed in infections with Coxsackie B virus. These may include meningitis (meningitis), meningoencephalitis (combined inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and meninges (meningitis)), myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), or pericarditis (inflammation of the pericardium).
In Germany, the disease is not reportable under the Infection Protection Act (IfSG).
