The word "Coxsackieviruses" is a mouthful, and many struggle with its spelling. The correct pronunciation of the word is /kɑkˈsækioʊ ˌvaɪrəsɪz/. The first part of the word "Coxsackie" is pronounced with a /k/ sound, followed by a /s/ sound, and then a /æ/ sound. The second part, "viruses," is pronounced with a long /aɪ/ sound and a /z/ sound. A simple way to remember the spelling is to break it down into its parts: "Coxsackie" and "viruses."
Coxsackieviruses are a group of viruses that belong to the Enterovirus genus within the Picornaviridae family. Named after a small town in New York where the virus was first isolated, Coxsackieviruses are known to cause a wide range of illnesses in humans, ranging from mild to severe infections.
These viruses are highly contagious and primarily transmitted through fecal-oral routes, respiratory droplets, and direct contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. There are two main groups of Coxsackieviruses: Group A and Group B. Group A Coxsackieviruses are responsible for causing diseases such as herpangina (characterized by painful blisters or ulcers in the back of the throat) and hand, foot, and mouth disease (a common childhood illness marked by fever, sore throat, mouth sores, and skin rash on the hands and feet). Group B Coxsackieviruses, on the other hand, are often associated with severe diseases including viral meningitis, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), and pericarditis (inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart).
The symptoms of Coxsackievirus infections may vary depending on the specific strain and can range from mild respiratory symptoms to more severe and potentially life-threatening conditions. Treatment for Coxsackievirus infections primarily focuses on managing symptoms and providing supportive care. Good hygiene practices such as washing hands frequently and avoiding close contact with infected individuals are essential for preventing the spread of these viruses.
The word "Coxsackieviruses" is derived from the name Coxsackie, which is a small town located in upstate New York, specifically in the United States. In the late 1940s, the viruses now known as Coxsackieviruses were first isolated from patients in this town. Coxsackie is a 19th-century Anglicization of the Native American Mohican word kakhquwáhshe, meaning "owl hooting". Therefore, the term "Coxsackieviruses" emerged as a combination of the town name and the word "viruses" to designate this group of enteroviruses.