Enterovirus D68: What Parents Need to Know

Alliedhealth Institute. US: There has been an increase in cases of enterovirus D68, a respiratory virus strain that is especially dangerous for children with asthma. Until recently, many people had never heard of enterovirus D68, which is part of the reason it seems to have so many parents confused and scared. Understanding the facts about the virus can help you protect your children and avoid misinformation.

 
Healthcare management teams in hospitals in 47 states have reported incidences of respiratory illnesses from enterovirus D68. Basic prevention is currently the only way to lower the chances of your child catching the virus. Most cases of enterovirus D68 are nonfatal, but there are some cases that have severe symptoms. Four deaths have been reported this year.

What Is Enterovirus D68?

Enterovirus D68 is a type of non-polio enterovirus, but this particular strain is causing widespread concern among parents. There are over 100 varieties of non-polio enteroviruses, causing 10–15 million infections every year. The various strains of non-polio enteroviruses can range from the common cold to hand, foot, and mouth disease, to meningitis and gastrointestinal illness.

While the first cases of enterovirus D68 were found in the 1960s, there has been an upward trend over the last decade around the world. There have been clusters in South East Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America. This widespread increase in incidence has many healthcare management officials and parents concerned. Between 1962 and 2005, there were only 26 confirmed reports of the virus, but over the last several years these numbers have been drastically growing.

Who is at Risk?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 1,105 cases have occurred across 47 U.S. states. However, healthcare management officials warn that due to low reporting rates, the actual number of cases is probably much higher. Like other enteroviruses, infections are expected to begin declining by late fall. September and October are often the peak seasons for enteroviruses, but we do not know enough about this virus strain to know for sure whether it will follow this pattern.

While adults can get enterovirus D68, infants, children, and teenagers are at a much higher risk of becoming infected. There have been cases where adults have become infected from enterovirus D68, but this year all reported cases have been children. Children with asthma face particular risk for having a severe respiratory illness from enterovirus D68. Lack of previous exposure causes infants, children, and teenagers to be more likely to become infected with enterovirus D68. Since they have not built up immunity to these types of viruses, the chances of infection are greater.

According to healthcare management officials, California, Michigan, New Jersey, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia have seen significantly more cases than usual this year. However, even outside these states, there has been a rise in enterovirus D68 infections. Nearly all states have experienced cases of enterovirus D68 this year.

How to Prevent Infection

At this time, there is no vaccine to prevent infection from enterovirus D68. Healthcare management personnel say that the best way to keep from catching or spreading enterovirus D68 is to employ the following basic preventative measures:

• Wash hands often with soap and water.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or shirtsleeve instead of hands.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, especially if someone is sick.
• Stay home from school or work if symptoms occur.

These preventative measures protect against the spread of many illnesses and are especially important for children who attend school or daycare where there are many other children. Without a vaccine or specific treatment protocol, prevention through these tips is the most effective way to stay healthy.

What Are the Symptoms?

Since enterovirus D68 causes respiratory illness, the symptoms are similar to other respiratory problems: fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, and body aches. Severe cases or infections that become worse may include symptoms like wheezing and difficulty breathing, according to healthcare management professionals. Knowing how to identify enterovirus D68 can help you know how to manage your child’s symptoms and when to contact a healthcare provider. If your child is having difficulty breathing or if you cannot control the symptoms, you should call a doctor.

Healthcare management officials from the CDC recommend special preparations for parents whose children have asthma or other respiratory issues. These precautionary steps include updating your child’s asthma action plan with his or her doctor, ensuring your child takes all asthma medication as directed, keeping asthma reliever medication with him or her at all times, getting a flu vaccine, and informing teachers or caregivers of symptoms to watch out for. Catching cases of enterovirus 68 early in children with asthma can help prevent serious respiratory issues.

How Is the Illness Treated?

There is no specific treatment plan for the virus or antiviral medications, according to healthcare management representatives. Most cases of enterovirus D68 are not fatal, and simply attending to the symptoms will be sufficient. In more extreme cases, supportive care like oxygen and other treatments may be issued by the hospital. Typically, when children are put into hospital care, they only spend between one and five days.

According to healthcare management officials, parents must learn accurate information about the enterovirus D68 outbreak so that they can understand how to protect their children’s health. Enterovirus D68 spreads like the common cold, making it vital for parents to keep their children home from school if symptoms occur. Basic preventative measures like hand washing can help prevent your child from getting an infection, but there are no vaccines at this time that prevent the disease.

Healthcare management teams across the country are learning more about enterovirus D68 as cases continue to appear, but it is expected that infections will decrease in the coming months. Unfortunately, not a lot is known about the virus because it has only recently become more widespread. As the CDC and other medical researchers learn more about the virus, it is possible that more specific preventative and treatment options will become available.