What You Should Know About The Enterovirus

Flu season has just begun yet a lot of my patients who have kids, are concerned about another illness that may affect their children--the Enterovirus D68.This enterovirus virus first appeared back in August, in the Mid-West It has now spread to many states throughout the country. The New York Health Department has reported 14 cases in the western part of the state in early September, with new cases having now spread to New York City and Long Island.In an interesting post on Web MD, Dr. Mary Anne Jackson of Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, MO said that the D68 virus doesn't follow the normal course of most viruses. She said "viral infections start out with a fever, cough, and a runny nose. But kids with D68 infections--from 6 mos of age to 6 years old-- have a cough and trouble breathing, sometimes wheezing. They act like they have asthma, even if they don't have a history of it."Since it is a virus, there is no vaccine to prevent it nor do antibiotics help since it is non-bacterial in original. Symptoms, however can be moderate to severe.For moderate symptoms, give children plenty of liquids and rest, says Roya Samuels, MD, at Children's Medical Center in New Hyde Park. But for more severe symptoms she says "if there's any rapid breathing, and that means breathing more than once per second consistently over the span of an hour. Or there is labored breathing, it's time to head to the doctor's office or emergency room." Once hospitalized, children may receive supplemental oxygen or get medications like abuterol to open airways.Prevention is key. The New York State Department of Health advises the public to take the following preventive measures:*Wash hands often with soap and water.* Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.*Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups of eating utensils with people who are sick.*Disinfect frequently touched surfaces.*Use the same precautions you would to prevent the spread of influenza.For more information: http://www.nycallergydoctor.com/allergy