Pediatric Enteroviral Infections Treatment & Management

  • Author: Nicholas John Bennett, MB, BCh, PhD; Chief Editor: Russell W Steele, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jun 5, 2009
 

Medical Care

Unfortunately, no specific antiviral medication or treatment is available for an enteroviral infection. The best care is provided through supportive measures. Fluid hydration and antipyretics are the mainstays of care for a viral syndrome.

  • In patients with severe illness, if a bacterial infection is suspected, antibiotics are administered at the physician’s discretion. Test results, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples, require 24 hours to return, and a positive result does not necessarily eliminate a bacterial infection. Thus, the use of cultures is important.
  • Corticosteroids have been proposed to have a beneficial effect on myocarditis, but no significant improvement has been demonstrated. Furthermore, because of deleterious side effects, steroids are not recommended for treatment.
  • Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) has been suggested to be beneficial in the outcome of myocarditis because of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and T-cell modulation. Other indications include possible efficacy in infections in newborns and patients with agammaglobulinemia.
  • Although not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, (FDA), pleconaril may play a role in the treatment plan in the future.
  • The best medical care involves continued efforts for worldwide poliovirus vaccination.
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Consultations

  • If poliomyelitis is suspected, consultation with a neurologist and a physical medicine specialist is helpful. Furthermore, CDC notification is required because they are responsible for virus surveillance. The CDC investigates cases of suspected polio and helps to identify the etiology of the case.
  • For nonpoliovirus enteroviruses, no consultations are specifically required, but the physician should address individual clinical situations.
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Diet

  • Patients can continue with a normal diet.
  • Soft foods and liquids are appeasing to children with herpangina.
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Activity

  • As with any illness, children should avoid vigorous activity that may contribute to fluid losses and exhaustion.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Nicholas John Bennett, MB, BCh, PhD  Fellow in Pediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York Upstate Medical University

Nicholas John Bennett, MB, BCh, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Pediatrics

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Joseph Domachowske, MD  Professor of Pediatrics, Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Upstate Medical University

Joseph Domachowske, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mobeen H Rathore, MD, CPE, FAAP, FIDSA  Chief of Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases/Immunology, Associate Chairman of Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine at Jacksonville; Hospital Epidemiologist and Section Chief of Infectious Disease and Immunology, Wolfson Children's Hospital; Director of University of Florida Center for HIV/AIDS Research, Education and Service (UF CARES)

Mobeen H Rathore, MD, CPE, FAAP, FIDSA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society for Microbiology, European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Florida Medical Association, Florida Pediatric Society, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, Society for Pediatric Research, Southern Medical Association, and Southern Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Leonard R Krilov, MD  Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and International Adoption, Vice Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Professor of Pediatrics, Winthrop University Hospital

Leonard R Krilov, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Pediatric Society, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Medimmune Grant/research funds Cliinical trials; Medimmune Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Medimmune Consulting fee Consulting

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mark R Schleiss, MD  American Legion Chair of Pediatrics, Professor of Pediatrics, Division Director, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School

Mark R Schleiss, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Pediatric Society, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert W Tolan Jr, MD  Chief, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's University Hospital; Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Drexel University College of Medicine

Robert W Tolan Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Phi Beta Kappa, and Physicians for Social Responsibility

Disclosure: GlaxoSmithKline Honoraria Speaking and teaching; MedImmune Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Merck Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Sanofi Pasteur Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Baxter Healthcare Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Novartis Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Chief Editor

Russell W Steele, MD  Head, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Ochsner Children's Health Center; Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine

Russell W Steele, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Immunologists, American Pediatric Society, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Louisiana State Medical Society, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Society for Pediatric Research, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author Michelle Mowad, MD, to the original writing and development of this article.

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