Echovirus

/ˈɛkoʊvaɪrəs/ noun

Definition

A type of virus that belongs to a group of enteroviruses that can cause various illnesses in humans, particularly in children.

Etymology

From 'ECHO' (Enteric Cytopathogenic Human Orphan) + 'virus.' The acronym ECHO was assigned to these viruses in the 1950s because they were initially found in human intestines without a known disease connection.

Kelly Says

Echoviruses were 'orphan' viruses—scientists found them but didn't know what diseases they caused—until researchers connected them to common childhood illnesses, showing how medical mysteries get solved through persistent detective work.

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