Causes and risk factors
ECHO virus spreads through person-to-person contact either directly or through contaminated objects. Infection can spread through infected saliva and mucus.
Clinical presentation
Patient presents with mild upper respiratory tract infection, low-grade fever. There is rash that spreads form face down to neck, upper extremity, and chest. Patient complains of sore throat, croup. Rarely, complications such as viral meningitis, myocarditis, and encephalitis may occur.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and clinical examination by the doctor helps in diagnosis. Stool culture, rectal culture is required. Spinal fluid culture may be done in case of meningitis. Throat culture is recommended.
Treatment
No treatment is required for most patients. There is no standard treatment or antiviral available for ECHO virus infection. The infection clears on its own. Treatment is symptomatic.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating ECHO virus. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization and considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly, the Ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates is also found to be effective in treating ECHO virus.
