News of Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) cases have increased in the media in recent weeks, just of many of us are bracing for the onset of cold and flu season. Texas Children’s leaders encourage staff and employees to arm themselves with the facts about EV-D68.
The issue isn’t the actual virus, rather it’s the severity of the person’s illness who may have it. Patients with underlying pulmonary disease are at increased risk of significant illness from EV-D68, said Dr. Jeffery Starke, Texas Children’s director of Infection Control. However, most children infected with the virus only have mild illness that is indistinguishable from other respiratory infections.
“It is not necessary to take children to the emergency room or rush to the pediatrician’s office,” Starke said. “Only children with significant symptoms need to seek care.”
Significant symptoms include intense wheezing, difficulty breathing or uncontrollable coughing.
Here are the other things you need to know about the rare respiratory illness that has cropped up this year in several states across the country:
What is the current situation?
For the first time since 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed several cases of EV-D68. So far this year, 160 people in 22 states have tested positive for the virus. No deaths attributed to the infection have been documented.
What is EV-D68?
EV-D68 is a rare form of enterovirus that affects the respiratory system. First identified in California in 1962, EV-D68 was rarely seen until 2009, when there were outbreaks in Japan, the Philippines and the Netherlands. Small clusters of cases were identified in the United States around the same time.
Who is at risk?
Infants, children and teenagers are most likely to get infected and become ill since they don’t have an immunity from previous exposures to enteroviruses. The most severe cases tend to involve children with asthma and other preexisting respiratory problems.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of EV-D68 are usually mild, barely distinguishable from a common cold. However, a small percentage of children develop intense wheezing, difficulty breathing or uncontrollable coughing.
Are there any treatments?
There is no vaccine to prevent EV-D68 and no drug to attack it. Parents can treat the pain and achiness with over-the-counter medications, and for more serious cases doctors have used albuterol and supplemental oxygen.
How is EV-D68 transmitted?
Like most other respiratory viruses, EV-D68 is transmitted through an infected person’s saliva, nasal mucus or sputum.
How can I avoid getting the virus?
You should:
- Wash your hands often
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces
Is there anything else I should do?
Get your flu vaccine. Although it won’t help ward off EV-D68, it will help medical staff diagnose you if you get a severe respiratory infection.
For more information
For more information about EV-D68, click here. To find out how to get your flu vaccine, click here.