Coxsackie Virus

What is coxsackievirus?

Coxsackievirus is a member of a family of viruses called enteroviruses. Enteroviruses are made up of a single strand of ribonucleic acid (RNA). The enteroviruses are also referred to as picornaviruses (pico means "small," so, "small RNA virues").

Coxsackievirus was first found in the town Coxsackie south of Albany, New York.

What are the types of coxsackieviruses and what can they cause?

Coxsackieviruses are separable into two groups: A and B. Type A viruses cause herpangina (sores in the throat) and hand, foot and mouth disease. Type B viruses cause epidemicpleurodynia. Both types A and B viruses can cause meningitis, myocarditis and pericarditis, and acute onset juvenile diabetes.