Transmission

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, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth before washing your hands,
• changing diapers of an infected person, then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth before washing your hands, or
• drinking water that has the virus in it.

Pregnant women who are infected with a 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 enteroviruses 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.