Coxsackie A typically causes which condition?

• A. Hand, foot, and mouth disease
• B. Herpangina
• C. Aseptic meningitis
• D. Myocarditis

Answer: (A)

Enteroviruses show tissue-specific infection patterns, and Coxsackie A is classically linked to mucocutaneous disease in children. The hallmark presentation is hand, foot, and mouth disease, with fever and vesicular lesions in the mouth along with vesicles on the hands and feet. While Coxsackie A can also cause herpangina (oral ulcers and fever), the most recognized association on exams is the hand, foot, and mouth syndrome. In contrast, Coxsackie B serotypes tend to cause myocarditis and pleurodynia, and aseptic meningitis can be caused by various enteroviruses but isn’t the signature for Coxsackie A.