From the Guidelines
Coxsackievirus B infection typically presents with symptoms such as fever, headache, sore throat, fatigue, and muscle aches, and can also cause more severe manifestations like myocarditis and meningitis, especially in infants and young children. The symptoms of Coxsackievirus B infection can vary widely, but common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Rash, particularly on the hands, feet, and mouth areas
- Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain In severe cases, especially in infants and young children, Coxsackievirus B infection can cause:
- Myocarditis (heart inflammation)
- Meningitis (inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord)
- Severe systemic illness According to the study 1, enteroviruses, including Coxsackievirus B, can cause a range of symptoms, from mild to severe, and can be diagnosed using CSF RT-PCR or CSF culture. Treatment is primarily supportive, focusing on managing symptoms with rest, adequate hydration, and over-the-counter pain relievers. It is essential to practice good hand hygiene and avoid close contact with infected individuals to prevent the spread of the virus.
From the Research
Symptoms of Coxsackievirus B Infection
The symptoms of Coxsackievirus B infection can vary and may include:
- Fever 2, 3, 4
- Myalgia (muscle pain) 2, 4
- Pleurodynia (chest pain) 4, 5
- Myopericarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle and surrounding tissue) 6
- Pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs) 6
- Jaundice 2
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath) 3
- Substernal chest pain radiating to the left arm and shoulder 3
- Cough 3
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) 3
- Chills 3
- Acute gastritis (inflammation of the stomach) 5
- Aseptic meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) 4
- Carditis (inflammation of the heart) 4
- Postviral fatigue syndrome 4
- Juvenile-onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 4
Complications of Coxsackievirus B Infection
In some cases, Coxsackievirus B infection can lead to more serious complications, including:
- Constrictive pericarditis (scarring and thickening of the tissue surrounding the heart) 6
- Hemorrhagic pericardial effusion (bleeding into the tissue surrounding the heart) 3
- Cardiac tamponade (fluid accumulation in the tissue surrounding the heart, which can compress the heart and impede its function) 3
- Acute renal failure 2
- Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) 2