Non polio enterovirus infections in children

Abstract

Non-polio enterovirus infections, viruses belonging to the Picornaviridae family, are common in children and cause a wide variety of clinical manifestations that may be of mild severity, such as summer colds and transient febrile episodes; as well as serious and even life-threatening diseases, such as viral meningoencephalitis and severe exacerbations of asthma. Children are the most exposed to these viruses. The diagnosis can be very simple and does not require complementary exams, as well as requiring complicated laboratorial studies that demand important resources. The treatment is nonspecific, although in recent years the use of new antiviral drugs has been proposed, mainly for severe cases. Prevention consists of general hygienic measures; the use of vaccines for some of these viruses is still under evaluation. In this article we review the most recent information in international literature.