Submitted by David Overton Coxsackie viral infections were first
recognized in Coxsackie, New York and have caused outbreaks of
heart disease, particularly heart failure. This is an RNA virus,
which can infect cells and take over DNA to make more viral
copies. Coxsackie is divided into groups A and B. Mouse group A
infections were noted to cause generalized myositis (mild to
moderate muscle inflammation, pain or damage) that progressed to
nerve damage. Mouse Group B infections were noted to cause
localized muscle injury (pain, inflammation or damage) and nerve
damage. The virus is spread by contaminated food or water,
unwashed hands and swimming. Coxsackie is not a flu virus and
has many strains. Group A strain 24 causes pink eye or
spontaneous eye bleeding, strain A16 in children or adults
causes mild symptoms with or without fever, mouth sores and/or
rashes on the palms, fingers or feet while strain A35 is linked
to infectious obesity (see my article). Coxsackie virus is one
of the enterovirus family, which