CategoriesVirus

Echovirus

Echo (Enteric Cytopathic Human Orphan) viruses are found in the gastrointestinal tract (hence it being part of the enterovirus genus) and exposure to these viruses causes other opportunistic infections and diseases. Echovirus is highly infectious, and its primary target is children. The echovirus is among the leading causes of acute febrile illness in infants and young children, and is the most common cause of aseptic meningitis. Infection of an infant with this virus following birth may cause severe systemic diseases and is associated with high infant mortality rates. The echovirus can mimic symptoms caused by other common bacterial and viral infections.

Some viral replications of an echovirus occur in the nasopharynx after infection and then spread to regional lymph nodes. However, most viral particles are swallowed and they reach the lower abdominal tract, where the virus is presumed to bind to specific receptors. The virus then spreads to the lower intestinal tract, replicating but not causing any major cellular effects along the way. Then the virus spreads to many secondary sites in the body such as the central nervous system, liver, spleen, bone marrow, heart and finally the lungs. Additional replication of the virus will occur, causing symptoms 4 to 6 days after infection. The most deadly part is delayed when symptoms of a central nervous system disease start to appear. Echoviruses are capable of infecting any cell in the body and are highly infectious. They can spread through the air to other hosts 1–3 weeks after infection and through feces to other hosts eight weeks after infection.

Echovirus disease occurs disproportionately in males and children. Infection within the first two weeks of birth can cause devastating and potentially fatal disease. In this population, death usually results from overwhelming liver failure or myocarditis, rather than infection of the central nervous system. Older children and adults have a better prognosis. Myocarditis is the most frequent complication in adults. Echovirus, like the other Enteroviruses Coxsackievirus A and B, typically cause a mild, nonspecific illness with a low fever. It may also produce a rash that spreads from the face down to the neck, upper extremities, and chest. Laboratory diagnosis is made with acute and convalescent titers of serum antibodies to Echovirus.

Causes of echovirus infections (Acute meningitis) can be placed in several categories. The main causes of infection are from overcrowded conditions such as the poor districts of a city and poor hygiene. Echoviruses are transmitted person-to-person with the fecal-oral route as the predominant mode, although transmission can occur via respiration of oral secretions such as saliva. Indirect transmission occurs through numerous routes, including contaminated water, food, and fomites (inanimate objects). Contaminated swimming and wading pools can also transmit the virus. In addition, there are well-documented reports of transmission via the contaminated hands of hospital personnel.

It is more effective to Detox the entire family of viruses in this category, so the Enterovirus is the remedy of choice if you believe Echovirus is a concern.