Diagnosing a chronic EV infection is extremely challenging because most physicians will try to discourage you from ruling it out.
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Sick patients will have to be assertive with their doctors to rule out an EV infection.
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Physicians cannot rule out HIV infections without a blood test, so why shouldn't they support taking an EV antibody test?
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During the acute phase, it is easier for doctors to find EV RNA in the blood because that is where the enteroviruses are replicating.
| During the chronic stage, the enteroviruses are replicating in the GI tract, so elevated antibodies are just one aspect to confirming chronic infection.
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| Any type of rash or irritation on the area of the hand, foot, or mouth, is a clinical syndrome that can help diagnose recent EV infections.
Many patients may have the sensation of a burnt roof of their mouth, and not notice lesions present.
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| Since enteroviruses replicate in the GI tract, a sample of stomach tissue can be tested for the presence of EV protein in a lab, Viral proteins are satisfactory bio-markers in a diagnostic test.
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Patients who experience GI symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, or even acid reflux, should tell their care providers so they can undergo an endoscopy or colonoscopy.
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An endoscopy will collect a sample from the upper GI tract, and a colonoscopy will collect a sample from the lower GI tract. Enteroviruses can replicate in the entire GI tract.
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