Coxsackievirus A16 is a common viral infection that can impact public health, particularly among young children. This virus is a member of the enterovirus family, a group of viruses that often cause mild illnesses but can sometimes lead to more severe conditions. Understanding Coxsackievirus A16 and its transmission is important for managing its spread.
What is Coxsackievirus A16
Coxsackievirus A16 (CA16) is a type of human enterovirus A. CA16 is recognized as a primary cause of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), a widespread childhood illness. While typically associated with mild, self-limiting symptoms, it contributes to outbreaks, especially in regions like the Western Pacific.
How It Spreads and Who is Affected
Coxsackievirus A16 spreads easily through person-to-person contact. Transmission frequently occurs via the fecal-oral route, such as through contact with an infected person’s stool, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching one’s eyes, nose, or mouth. Respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing also contribute to its spread. Direct contact with the fluid from blisters of an infected individual is another mode of transmission.
Outbreaks commonly occur in settings where young children gather, such as daycares and schools, because of their close interactions. While people of any age can contract the virus, infants and young children, typically those under the age of seven years, are most susceptible to infection.
Recognizing Symptoms and Getting a Diagnosis
Symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) caused by Coxsackievirus A16 usually appear three to six days after exposure. The initial phase often includes a mild fever, sore throat, and a general feeling of being unwell. Infants and toddlers might also become fussy and experience a loss of appetite.
Within one to two days after the fever begins, painful, blister-like lesions can develop in the mouth, often on the tongue, gums, and inside the cheeks. These sores can make eating and drinking uncomfortable. A rash may then appear on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, and sometimes on the buttocks. This rash is typically not itchy, but can present as red spots or tiny bumps, sometimes with blisters. The illness generally resolves within 7 to 10 days.
Diagnosis of Coxsackievirus A16 infection is typically made through a clinical examination, based on the characteristic symptoms of fever, mouth sores, and a rash on the hands and feet. Laboratory tests to identify the virus are rarely necessary, as most infections are mild and self-limiting. Such tests are often impractical for routine diagnosis due to cost and time.
Managing the Illness and Preventing Spread
There is no specific antiviral treatment for Coxsackievirus A16 infection; care focuses on managing the symptoms. Supportive measures include ensuring adequate hydration, especially for young children who may find swallowing painful due to mouth sores. Over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can help relieve fever and discomfort.
Preventing the spread of Coxsackievirus A16 involves rigorous hygiene practices. Frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water is important, particularly after using the toilet, changing diapers, or before handling food. Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs and toys, can also reduce transmission. Avoiding close contact with infected individuals, including kissing, hugging, or sharing utensils, helps limit the virus’s spread. Children can typically return to school or daycare once their fever has resolved and they feel well. However, the virus can still be shed in stool for several weeks after symptoms disappear.