Coxsackie Virus

Coxsackie Virus

Coxsackie Virus
Reading Level

	edHelper's suggested reading level:	grades 5 to 6
	Flesch-Kincaid grade level:	7.24

Vocabulary

	challenging words:		gums, swelling, meningitis, preschoolers, soles, mainly, acetaminophen, conjunctivitis, encephalitis, feces, viral, affecting, various, extremely, sensitivity, camps
	content words:		Gilbert Dalldorf, New York, Another Coxsackie

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Coxsackie Virus
By Jennifer Kenny

¹     As children grow, there are many kinds of infections children get. Infections are caused by either bacteria or viruses. One childhood infection caused by a virus is Coxsackie virus.

²     Coxsackie viruses are a part of a family of viruses known as enterovirus. This family includes polioviruses. In fact, Coxsackie virus was discovered by a scientist named Gilbert Dalldorf in the late 1940s who was searching for a cure for polio. This virus he discovered was named after Coxsackie, New York, where the scientist had obtained some specimens in his research.

³     Coxsackie is very contagious. It passes from a person, usually from unwashed hands, and also on any surfaces touched by feces such as public toilets or diapers. It can also pass by a sneeze or a cough. It is extremely common in preschoolers. Therefore, it spreads very easily from infants to five-year-olds in schools, camps, and day-care. Children are most contagious the first week of their illness. Where it is warm, such as in a tropical climate, Coxsackie is found year-round. In cooler places, it is more common during the summer and fall.

⁴     Prevention is really the only way to help stop the spread of the infection. There is no vaccine to prevent Coxsackie virus. Common sense works best. Wash your hands after using a bathroom, after changing a diaper, or before preparing food. Sick children shouldn't go to day care or to school. Toys that are shared should be disinfected regularly. Of course, try to stay away from anyone with the virus.

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