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Enterovirus
Enterovirus A virus that enters the body through the gastrointestinal tract and thrives there, often moving on to attack the nervous system. The polioviruses are enteroviruses. Enteroviruses are small viruses that are made of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein. In addition to the three different polioviruses, there are 61 non-polio enteroviruses that can cause disease in humans: 29 Coxsackieviruses (23 Coxsackie A viruses and 6 Coxsackie B viruses), 28 echoviruses, and 4 other enteroviruses.
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Virus
Ultramicroscopic infectious agent that replicates itself only within cells of living hosts; many are pathogenic; a piece of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) wrapped in a thin coat of protein.
Gastrointestinal
Having to do with the stomach and intestines.
Protein
Any of a group of complex organic compounds which contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and usually sulfur, the characteristic element being nitrogen. Proteins, the principal constituents of the protoplasm of all cells, are of high molecular weight and consist essentially of combinations of a-amino acids in peptide linkages. Twenty different amino acids are commonly found in proteins, and each protein has a unique genetically defined amino acid sequence which determines its specific shape and function. Their roles include enzymatic catalysis, transport and storage, coordinated motion, nerve impulse generation and many others.
Disease
Illness or sickness often characterized by typical patient problems (symptoms) and physical findings (signs). Disruption sequence: The events that occur when a fetus that is developing normally is subjected to a destructive agent such as the rubella (German measles) virus.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
Enteral
Pertaining to the small intestine. As in enteral nutrition. Also called enteric.
Enteral nutrition
A way to provide food through a tube placed in the nose, the stomach, or the small intestine. A tube in the nose is called a nasogastric or nasoenteral tube. A tube that goes through the skin into the stomach is called a gastrostomy or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). A tube into the small intestine is called a jejunostomy or percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ) tube. Also called tube feeding.
Enteric
Pertaining to the small intestine. Also called (less often) enteral.
Enteric-coated
Coated with a material that permits transit through the stomach to the small intestine before the medication is released.
Enteritis
An irritation of the small intestine.
Enteritis, Crohn
Crohn disease involving only the small intestine. Crohn disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder, primarily involving the small and large intestine, but which can affect other parts of the digestive system as well. The disease is usually diagnosed in persons in their teens or twenties, but can occur at any point in life. Crohn disease can be a chronic, recurrent condition or can cause minimal symptoms with or even without medical treatment. In mild forms, Crohn disease causes small scattered shallow crater-like areas (erosions) called aphthous ulcers in the inner surface of the bowel. In more serious cases, deeper and larger ulcers can develop, causing scarring and stiffness and possibly narrowing of the bowel, sometimes leading to obstruction. Deep ulcers can puncture holes in the bowel wall, leading to infection in the abdominal cavity (peritonitis) and in adjacent organs.
Entero
Combining form that refers to the intestine (the gut). As in enterocolitis, enteropathy, and enterovirus.
Enterobiasis
Pinworm infection, an infection caused by a small, white intestinal worm -- the pinworm or, more formally, Enterobius vermicularis. The pinworm is about the length of a staple and lives for the most part within the rectum of humans. While an infected person is asleep, female pinworms leave the intestines through the anus and deposit eggs on the skin around the anus. The symptoms of a pinworm infection are caused by the female pinworm laying her eggs. Most symptoms of pinworm infection are mild, and many infected people have no symptoms or, at most , some itching around the anus, disturbed sleep, and irritability. However, if the infection is heavy, these symptoms may be correspondingly more severe and also include loss of appetite, restlessness, and insomnia.
Enterocele
Condition caused by weakened muscles in the pelvis in which a portion of the intestines bulges into the top of the vagina.
Enterococcus
Bacteria normally found in the feces of people and many animals. Two types of enterococci -- Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium --occasionally cause human disease, most commonly urinary tract infections and wound infections. Other infections, including those of the blood stream (bacteraemia), heart valves (endocarditis) and the brain (meningitis) can occur in severely ill patients in hospitals. Enterococci also often colonize open wounds and skin ulcers.
Enteropathy
Any pathology (disease) of the intestine.
Enteroplasty
Surgery on the intestine, especially to enlarge a constricted segment or lengthen a short bowel.
Enteroscopy
An examination of the small intestine with an endoscope. The endoscope is inserted through the mouth and stomach into the small intestine.
Enterospasm
A painful, intense contraction of the intestine.
Enterostomal therapist
A health care specialist trained to help patients care for and adjust to their colostomy.
Enterostomal therapy nurse
A nurse who cares for patients with an ostomy. See also Ostomy.
Enterostomy
An ostomy, or opening, into the intestine through the abdominal wall.
Enterotoxin
A cytotoxin specific for the cells of the intestinal mucosa.
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Enterococcus
Bacteria normally found in the feces of people and many animals. Two types of enterococci -- Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium --occasionally cause human disease, most commonly urinary tract infections and wound infections. Other infections, including those of the blood stream (bacteraemia), heart valves (endocarditis) and the brain (meningitis) can occur in severely ill patients in hospitals. Enterococci also often colonize open wounds and skin ulcers.
Enteropathy
Any pathology (disease) of the intestine.
Enteroplasty
Surgery on the intestine, especially to enlarge a constricted segment or lengthen a short bowel.
Enterospasm
A painful, intense contraction of the intestine.
Enterostomal therapist
A health care specialist trained to help patients care for and adjust to their colostomy.
Enterovirus
Entomology
The scientific study of insects. The application of entomology to medicine is termed medical entomology.
Entomophobia
An abnormal and persistent fear of insects. Sufferers experience anxiety even though they realize that most insects pose no threat. To avoid insects, they may frequently clean rooms and carpets, sweep hallways, spray insect-killer or seal off doors and windows. Entophobia (insect phobia) includes acarophobia (mites: scabies) and arachnophobia (spiders). A true insect phobia is defined by a persistent irrational fear of and compelling desire to avoid insects, mites, spiders, or similar phobic objects and significant distress from the disturbance despite recognition by the phobic person that their fear is inappropriate, unreasonable, and excessive.
Environment
The sum of the total of the elements, factors and conditions in the surroundings which may have an impact on the development, action or survival of an organism or group of organisms. The environment is as opposed to genetics. We are the product of our genetic inheritance and our environment.
Environmental medicine
The interactions between risk factors in the environment and human health. Environmental medicine focuses on the causes of disease in an environmental context. The environment creates exposures to many different physical, biological and chemical agents. Environmental exposures may be general such as to UV-irradiation from the sun or specific such as to toxic mushrooms and dioxin. Current concerns in environmental medicine include but are by no means limited to the environmental contributions to cancer, ozone depletion and its effects on health, global warming, air pollution, airborne allergens, water pollution, contaminated sites, nuclear accidents, radon, mercury and cadmium toxicity to the kidney, and food poisoning.
Environmental tobacco smoke
Abbreviated ETS. Secondhand smoke. See: ETS.
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