Non-polio enteroviruses can be found in an infected person's
- feces (stool),
- eyes, nose, and mouth secretions (such as saliva, nasal mucus, or sputum), or
- blister fluid.
You can get exposed to the virus by—
- having close contact, such as touching or shaking hands, with an infected person,
- touching objects or surfaces that have the virus on them,
- changing diapers of an infected person, or
- drinking water that has the virus in it.
If you then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth before washing your hands, you can get infected with the virus and become sick.
Pregnant women who are infected with non-polio enterovirus shortly before delivery can pass the virus to their babies. For more information, see Pregnancy & Non-Polio Enterovirus Infection.
Mothers who are breastfeeding should talk with their doctor if they are sick or think they may have an infection.
Non-polio enterovirus can be shed (passed from a person's body into the environment) in your stool for several weeks or longer after you have been infected. The virus can be shed from your respiratory tract for 1 to 3 weeks or less. Infected people can shed the virus even if they don't have symptoms.
Images and logos on this website which are trademarked/copyrighted or used with permission of the trademark/copyright or logo holder are not in the public domain. These images and logos have been licensed for or used with permission in the materials provided on this website. The materials in the form presented on this website may be used without seeking further permission. Any other use of trademarked/copyrighted images or logos requires permission from the trademark/copyright holder...more
This graphic notice means that you are leaving an HHS Web site. For more information, please see the Exit Notification and Disclaimer policy.