About this topic
An enterovirus is a germ that causes a mild illness like a cold most of the time. Some people do get very sick because of this germ. They may have an illness in their heart or brain. This kind of germ spreads easily from one person to another. Often, you never find out exactly which virus causes your illness. ‚
Care depends on what your signs are. You may have: ‚
- Fever
- Runny nose, cough, or sneezing
- Breathing problems
- Body aches
- Rash or mouth sores
Most enteroviruses will go away without any care. Your doctor may treat itchy or blistered skin to help make you feel better. This virus can be serious in someone with a health problem like asthma or cancer. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your doctor may suggest warm oatmeal baths to help with itching. You may also need drugs to help with itching.
- Some drugs that help with itching can make you extra sleepy. Be sure not to drive or use machinery if the drugs make you tired.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs.
- If you are sick, cover your mouth and nose with tissue when you cough or sneeze. You can also cough into your elbow. Throw away tissues in the trash and wash your hands after touching used tissues.
- Avoid getting too close (kissing, hugging) to people who are sick.
- Avoid sharing your towels or hankies with anyone who is sick. Clean commonly handled things like door handles, remotes, toys, and phones. Wipe them with a disinfectant.
- Avoid going to crowded places.
- Get a flu shot each year.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pus, or redness that is moving beyond the original rash.
- Redness or burning feeling in your eye
- Very bad headache or neck pain
- Trouble breathing
- Blisters on your skin
- Rash is not getting better
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how and when to wash my hands to avoid passing the infection to others.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have trouble breathing.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/about/overview.html ‚
Kids Health ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/dictionary/e/az-enterovirus.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚