ECHO virus infection

Alternative names:

enterovirus infection

Definition:

A group of infections caused by one of several types of ECHO viruses; causing a wide range of diseases including rashes, respiratory illness, croup-like syndromes, non-specific illness with fever but few other findings, aseptic meningitis (not bacterial), meningoencephalitis, inflammation of the sack around the heart (pericarditis) and possibly myocarditis, gastrointestinal disease, and genitourinary disease.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

ECHO viruses belong to a group of viruses called Enterovirus. ECHO virus infections are not uncommon. However, the diseases they cause are seldom identified as being caused by ECHO viruses.The diseases most commonly take the form of gastrointestinal infection and skin rashes. More serious infection is seen less frequently but are of significant importance. As many as one out of five cases of aseptic meningitis is thought to be caused by ECHO virus.