Definition of Echovirus
Echovirus: A group of viruses found in the intestinal tract. The 'echo' part of the name is an acronym for enteric cytopathic human orphan viruses. 'Orphan' implied that these viruses were not associated with any disease. However, it is now known that echoviruses can cause a number of different diseases, including rashes, diarrhea, respiratory infections (such as the common cold, sore throat, bronchitis, and bronchiolitis), muscle inflammation, meningitis, encephalitis, and inflammation around the heart.
Last Editorial Review: 3/19/2012
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