Colds

Coxsackievirus

A 12 year old boy comes into the clinic complaining of a scratchy throat, rhinorrhea, and non-productive cough. The symptoms started a few days ago. No other symptoms are present.

Labs: Small, nonenveloped ssRNA virus with an icosahedral nucleocapsid found in cell culture.

Discussion: The diagnosis of the common cold by Coxsackievirus is made by clinical presentation. Transmission is by the fecal-oral route. Coxsackieviruses also cause hand-foot-and mouth disease and aseptic meningitis. In a clinical setting, determining the viral cause of the common cold is low yield. The main signs and symptoms are nasal discharge and obstruction, sore or scratchy throat, cough and sneezing.

For more information on Coxsackie A virus, click here.

For more information on Coxsackie B virus, click here.