What Does a Positive Test Result for Intestinal Virus Mean?

A positive result for a generic intestinal virus generally refers to hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). HFMD is a contagious childhood illness also known as vesicular stomatitis. It mainly occurs in children under 5 years old and can cause herpes on the hands, feet, and mouth. In rare cases, it can lead to complications such as myocarditis, pulmonary edema, aseptic meningitis, and encephalitis. In severe cases, rapid disease progression can lead to death. The pathogens of HFMD are CA16 and EV71, which cause herpes or ulcerations on the hands, feet, and oral mucosa.

A negative test result indicates the absence of HFMD. As for generic intestinal viruses, there are many types, and symptoms should be considered. If a baby has viral diarrhea, dehydration should be prevented. For other infection symptoms, observation can be postponed for a few days, and treatment should be symptomatic.

1. Emphasize environmental and personal hygiene.

2. Strengthen physical exercise to help prevent the epidemic of this disease.

3. Infants and young children in contact with patients can be injected with 3-6 ml of gamma globulin or 6-9 ml of placental globulin to prevent infection.

4. Widespread administration of attenuated live polio vaccine can produce intestinal interference and control the epidemic of aseptic meningitis caused by other intestinal viruses. This is a nonspecific preventive measure.

5. Further research is needed. Due to the numerous types of Coxsackie virus, Echo virus, and other intestinal viruses, it is difficult to prepare specific vaccines. Currently, they cannot be widely used.