What is Coxsackie?
Coxsackie is a virus that causes Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, which appears as a blister-like rash on the hands, feet, or mouth. The infection usually occurs in children under 10 years of age and is common in children under 5 years old. Occasionally, it can occur in young adults. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is caused by viruses that belong to the Enterovirus family. Coxsackievirus A16 is typically the most common cause of HFMD in the United States. Coxsackievirus A6 may cause more severe illness.
Who Does it Affect?
Where is it Found?
What Does it Infect?
How Does it Spread?
Preventing the Spread of Coxsackie
Children who feel ill or have a fever could have Coxsackie and should be excluded from group settingsopen_in_new until the fever is gone and the child feels well. Thorough hand washing and surface disinfection are important, especially after diaper changes, using the toilet, nose blowing, coughing, or sneezing.
People with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease are usually most contagious during the first week that they are sick. People can sometimes spread the virus to others for days or weeks after symptoms go away or if they have no symptoms at all. The virus has been known to be shed in the stool for up to several weeks.
Rarely, the Coxsackie can spread if someone swallows contaminated recreational water, such as in swimming pools. This can happen if the water is not properly disinfected and contains fecal matter from a person who has Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.
Get More Protection with UV Disinfection
In addition to the above preventative measures, Germicidal Ultraviolet (UV-C) surface disinfection can inactivate Coxsackie in many applications, including hospitals, healthcare facilities, schools, and daycare centers. UV water disinfection can protect against the possibility of infection in swimming pools. Shop our products at AtlanticUltraviolet.comopen_in_new.
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Our germicidal lamps produce ultraviolet wavelengths at 254 nanometers, the region of maximum germicidal effectiveness. Read our FAQ blog post to learn more. See dosage data below.
Coxsackie: Classification & Germicidal UV Dose for Inactivation
| Organism: | Type: | Disease: | UV Dose*: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coxsackie A2 | Virus | Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, Conjunctivitis, Meningitis | 6.30 mJ/cm2 |
| Coxsackie A10 | Virus | Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, Conjunctivitis, Meningitis | 8.90 mJ/cm2 |
| Coxsackie B1 | Virus | Myocarditis, Pericarditis, Pneumonia, Meningitis, Encephalitis, Hepatitis | 17.0 mJ/cm2 |
| Coxsackie B3 | Virus | Myocarditis, Pericarditis, Pneumonia, Meningitis, Encephalitis, Hepatitis | 16.0 mJ/cm2 |
| Coxsackie B4 | Virus | Myocarditis, Pericarditis, Pneumonia, Meningitis, Encephalitis, Hepatitis | 13.0 mJ/cm2 |
| Coxsackie B5 | Virus | Myocarditis, Pericarditis, Pneumonia, Meningitis, Encephalitis, Hepatitis | 18.0 mJ/cm2 |
* Nominal germicidal UV dosage necessary to inactivate better than 99% of microorganism.
Symptoms of a Coxsackie Infection
According to the CDC, most children have mild symptoms for 7 to 10 days. Initial symptoms develop 3 to 6 days after they catch the virus and may include:
- Fever
- Eating or drinking less
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
A blister-like rash on the hands, feet, and in the mouth usually develops 1 to 2 days after the initial symptoms.
Sources on Coxsackie:
The above information can be found on the following pages.
- CDC: Coxsackie: Causes and Transmissionopen_in_new
- CDC: Prevent Hand, Foot, and Mouth Diseaseopen_in_new
- CDC: Symptoms of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Diseaseopen_in_new
- NY Department of Health: Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (Coxsackie viral infection)open_in_new
- CDC: Healthcare Environmental Infection Prevention – Reduce Risk from Wateropen_in_new
Dosage Source
Sensitivity of Bacteria, Protozoa, Viruses, and Other Microorganisms to Ultraviolet Radiation. Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Volume 126, Article No. 126021. August 20, 2021.
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