Experts report rapid spread of coxsackievirus infections among children in Latvia. It is possible that this is due to the long period of restrictions, when children did not interact much with each other and so the spread of the virus was not as high as it normally is, BNN was told by Children’s Clinical University Hospital (BKUS) infectologist Gunta Laizāne.
«The situation is similar with flu, the seasonal spread of which should have ended by now, but people continue falling ill,» adds the specialist.
According to her, «it may turn out the coxsackievirus infection is confused with chickenpox, since the two show similar symptoms on the skin of infected people. Doctors have to examine children very carefully to tell the two infections apart. However, since the disease normally progresses in light form, in most cases children are treated on outpatient basis. This is why we don’t know how often general practitioners examine them.»
Typical coxsackievirus infection symptoms include skin rash that turns into small watery blisters.
Blisters normally appear on hands and feet. They also appear on other parts of the body and mucous membranes. During the course of the infection, patients may also experience increased body temperature, throat pain and running nose. The disease generally passes lightly, but it is still important to consult with a general practitioner and stay at home for the duration of the course of treatment.
Coxsackievirus is part of the enterovirus family. Treatment generally includes staying at home and taking care of patients’ skin. If blisters pop, it is important to make sure no new infection enters the bruise. If the child has high body temperature, it is recommended to use medicine to lower body temperature, recommends BKUS infectologist.
Coxsackievirus is infectious, but children are the ones who suffer from it the most. If an adult becomes infected, symptoms generally include throat pain, stomatitis and watery vesicles on the tongue.