Enterovirus Infections in Children

First published September 2014
Updated June 2026

If your child comes down with a fever, runny nose, sore throat, rash, or upset stomach during the summer or fall, an enterovirus may be the cause. These common viruses infect millions of children each year and cause a wide range of illnesses, from mild colds to hand, foot, and mouth disease.

What Causes Enterovirus Infections?

Enteroviruses are a large group of viruses that spread easily from person to person. They live in respiratory secretions (like saliva and mucus) and stool, which means coughing, sneezing, close contact, and contaminated hands or surfaces can all lead to infection. Young children are especially vulnerable because they have not yet built immunity to the many different types of enteroviruses.

There are many forms of enteroviruses, including coxsackieviruses and enterovirus D68 (EV-D68). Some cause mild cold-like illness, while others lead to rashes, mouth sores, or breathing problems. Fortunately, most infections are mild and get better without serious complications.

What Are the Symptoms?

Symptoms can vary widely depending on the specific virus and the part of the body affected. Many children have only mild illness or no symptoms at all.

Common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Runny nose and congestion
• Sore throat
• Mouth sores
• Cough
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Rash

Some enteroviruses cause hand, foot, and mouth disease, which leads to painful mouth ulcers and a blister-like rash on the hands and feet. Others, like EV-D68, are more likely to affect the respiratory system and may trigger wheezing or breathing difficulty, especially in children with asthma.

Rarely, enteroviruses cause more serious illness involving the brain, heart, or nervous system. Parents should seek medical care right away if a child develops a severe headache, stiff neck, trouble breathing, dehydration, unusual sleepiness, weakness, or difficulty walking.

How Are Enterovirus Infections Diagnosed?

In most cases, doctors diagnose enterovirus infections based on a child’s symptoms and physical exam. Special testing is not usually needed for mild illness. However, hospitalized children or those with severe symptoms may need lab testing using nasal swabs, throat swabs, or other samples to identify the virus.

How Are These Infections Treated?

These infections are caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not help. Treatment focuses on keeping children comfortable while the infection runs its course.

Supportive care includes:

• Plenty of fluids
• Rest
• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and discomfortCool drinks or popsicles for sore mouths and throats

Children with wheezing or breathing difficulty may require additional treatments, especially if they have asthma. Severe infections occasionally require hospitalization, but this is uncommon.

When Do Enteroviruses Spread?

Enteroviruses can occur any time of year, but they are most common in the summer and early fall. In fact, they are sometimes called the “summer flu” because they often cause fever and body aches during warmer months.

Good handwashing, cleaning shared surfaces, covering coughs and sneezes, and keeping sick children home from school or daycare can help reduce the spread of infection. While enteroviruses are common, most children recover quickly and completely with supportive care and a little extra rest.