A positive coxsackievirus test is done when you have hand, foot and mouth disease or herpes pharyngitis, and a positive antibody to coxsackievirus group A type 16 indicates infection with this virus. This virus does not cause severe hand, foot and mouth disease or herpes pharyngitis, because there are many pathogens of hand, foot and mouth disease, in addition to the more common and serious enterovirus 71. Virus 71 is neurophilic and may cause aseptic encephalitis or meningitis, and during an outbreak of HFMD, enterovirus 71 has a higher probability of severe disease. In the case of coxsackievirus infection group A type 16, although it can also cause clinical symptoms, the likelihood of severe illness is less than that of enterovirus 71.