What you need to know about Enterovirus: There has been a lot in the news recently about an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by an Enterovirus. These are some of this things you should know about the virus to protect the health of you and your family. What is it and where has tit been found? Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is in the same family of viruses that include polio, though it does not cause the same symptoms. It was first identified in 1962, but has been found only sporadically in the US since then until the recent outbreak. Starting in mid-August of this year, hospitals in Missouri started to notice an increase in severe respiratory illnesses in children, including some needing hospitalization and even intensive care. A similar outbreak was noted in Illinois soon after. EV-D68 was identified as the cause in many of these cases. Since then, cases of EV-D68 infection have been noted in Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, and Oklahoma. More recently, there have several suspected cases in Virginia. What are the symptoms? Infection with an Enterovirus is not uncommon, but this particular strain is causing more severe symptoms in some patients than is typical. Still, many cases remain mild and undiagnosed, generally thought by most people to be a bad cold. Children seem to be more susceptible to this virus, due to immature immune systems, and can develop more serious symptoms, especially those who already have breathing problems such as asthma. The symptoms themselves are typical of most colds, and include runny nose, sneezing, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, skin rashes, mouth blisters, muscle and body aches, fatigue and trouble thinking well. Fever has been noted in some patients, though it does not seem to be common with this particular virus. How does it spread? The EV-D68 virus can be found in respiratory secretions such as saliva, nasal mucus, or sputum. The virus likely spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches contaminated surfaces. How do I prevent infection? You can help protect yourself from respiratory illnesses by following these steps: • Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers; • Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; • Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick; • Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick. You can use commercial disinfectant sprays or wipes, or use a mild bleach solution of 1 part bleach for every 9 parts water. There are no vaccines for preventing EV-D68 infections. How is it treated? There is no specific treatment for EV-D68 infections. Many infections will be mild and self-limited, requiring only treatment of the symptoms with typical over the counter or prescription cold medications. Some people with severe respiratory illness caused by EV-D68 may need to be hospitalized and receive intensive supportive therapy. What should I do if I think someone in my family is infected? There are many viruses that cause respiratory illness. Most, including the majority of EV-D68 cases, will remain mild and will need only supportive care. If the illness is not severe, it may be treated with over the counter medications for the particular symptoms. If the illness is more severe, the infected person should stay home to avoid infecting others. Follow the infection prevention strategies outlined above for illness of any severity. If you or a family member are experiencing difficulty breathing, such as severe wheezing, shortness of breath, or an uncontrolled cough, or if you have a high fever, severe fatigue or mental status changes, you should make an immediate appointment with your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room. Where can I find more information? Visit cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/about/EV-D68.html, or cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm63e0908a1.htm.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 13:06:38 +0000
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