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Our mission is to educate patients and their families about enterovirus (EV) infections. Most physicians don't have these viruses on their diagnostic radar screen so they can go undiagnosed for weeks, if not months. If we can empower you with the knowledge of how enteroviruses can impact your health, then maybe human suffering can be minimized, and a full or partial recovery can be achieved.
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There are over 15 million new acute EV infections each year in the United States and it is not known how many of these infections progress to chronic disease. There is no approved antiviral treatment for EV infections, and they are among the most understudied viruses in today's scientific and pharmaceutical community. By diagnosing more patients, awareness will increase and the possibility for developing an antiviral will become reality.
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Infections with Enteroviruses:
* can turn chronic from a weak immune system or from infection with multiple strains * can produce many different symptoms, with different levels of severity * can impair or diminish quality of life and be stressful on families and friends * go largely undiagnosed in adults, and not recognized for being chronic in nature
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Enteroviruses are classified in the Picornavirus family, made up of RNA and protein. Enteroviruses are RNA viruses, not DNA viruses like HHV, EBV, and CMV.
EV's have a long history, with polio being its most famous and deadly strain.
Other life threatening strains are EV-71, which spreads to the brain causing meningitis, and CoxsackieB-3, which can spread to the heart, causing myocarditis. Chronic myocarditis can lead to dilated cardiomyopathy, which is a life-threatening heart disease, and can only be treated with heart transplantation.
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EV's are primarily transmitted through the respiratory tract, but can also be ingested from contaminated food or water. Most EV infections are mild and asymptomatic, and acute by nature, lasting only several weeks. But under conditions of immunodeficiency, or other factors, patients can establish chronic infections, lasting several months or years.
Acute EV infections are easily diagnosed through PCR testing of the blood, but chronic EV infections can be more difficult to diagnose. The primary site for enterovirus replication is the GI tract, so stomach biopsies can be tested for the presence of EV protein. Since this is currently performed in research settings, it can be difficult for patients to accomplish.
Patients can still encourage their doctors to rule it out by ordering antibody tests (blood tests) for both coxsackieviruses and echoviruses. Consistently high antibodies can point to the direction of a chronic EV infection, as well as a four fold rise in antibody titers.
Diseases like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia have been associated with EV infections in the past, but the link needs to be studied further and proven solid (finding replicating virus in CFS patients). Unfortunately the standard of treatment for both diseases are pain management, not antiviral treatment.
Once a causal relationship is established between CFS and enteroviruses, more scientists will study the mechanisms of RNA viruses, and how they thrive in the body. This will also encourage more drug companies to develop safe and effective antivirals for the treatment of EV infections.
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| Since there is no antiviral treatment available yet, diet, rest, and education can help patients feel better. The immune system must be strong in order to fight infections efficiently. Getting lots of rest and eating foods high in antioxidants can help. Drinking a natural antioxidant juice like Mona Vie, might help boost the immune system and help patients achieve a partial or full recovery. Learn the latest news by reading the Enteroviruses.com Forum. We provide a social network for patients and their families living with chronic enterovirus infections.
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