RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Coxsackie B viruses and the post-viral syndrome: a prospective study in general practice JF The Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners JO J R Coll Gen Pract FD British Journal of General Practice SP 11 OP 14 VO 37 IS 294 A1 B.D. Calder A1 P.J. Warnock A1 R.A. McCartney A1 E.J. Bell YR 1987 UL http://bjgp.org/content/37/294/11.abstract AB In a prospective study sera from 140 patients with symptoms suggesting a post-viral syndrome and sera from 100 controls were tested for neutralizing antibodies to Coxsackie B viruses. Sixty-five of the patients (46%) and 25 of the controls (25%) had significant antibody titres. The 65 positive cases who had presented with symptoms were followed up and retested six months later and again after one year. Of these 65 patients 36 (55%) were still unwell after one year and high antibody titres persisted in all but two of the patients. Recovery was not found to correlate with a fall in antibody level, but was more rapid in patients whose presenting symptoms were paraesthesiae, anorexia or dyspnoea. The importance of correctly identifying patients with the post-viral syndrome, who may otherwise be labelled neurotic, is emphasized.