A group of viruses that typically occur in the gastrointestinal tract, but on rare occasions, can spread to the central nervous system causing serious illness.
Enteroviruses are the most prevalent viruses globally. In the U.S., around 10 million to 15 million infections are caused by the enterovirus, but most people just experience a mild illness, like the common cold, or don’t get sick. Some people, especially infants and those with weakened immune systems can have more serious complications. If the virus spreads to the nervous system, brain, or heart, it can cause life-threatening symptoms, such as paralysis. Polio, hepatitis A and hand, foot and mouth disease are among the diseases caused by an enterovirus, which spreads between humans through contact with an infected person’s saliva, sputum, mucus, or feces. The virus seems to spread the fastest during the summer and fall seasons.