What you should know about enterovirus-68:
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, a total of 594 people in 43 states and Washington, DC have confirmed with respiratory illness caused by enterovirus-68.
Health departments across the U.S. have reported increases and almost all cases confirmed have been in children.
The virus is said to cause mild to severe respiratory illness and spreads through contaminated surfaces coughs, and sneezes.
A child in New Jersey died after testing positive for EV-68. Fourteen children California have tested positive, and in St. Louis two children treated for paralysis were linked to EV-68.
Officials are urging people to seek medical help immediately if a child starts to lose feeling in their limbs.
EV-68 is one of more than 100 non-polio enteroviruses. The CDC has released information on symptoms, protection and treatment.
Symptoms
Mild symptoms may include sneezing, runny nose, fever and body and muscles aches.
Severe symptoms include difficulty breathing and wheezing.
Prevention
Frequently wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
Avoid kissing, hugging and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick.
Clean and disinfect frequently especially if someone is sick.
Cover coughs and sneezes with tissue, not hands.
Stay home when you are sick.
Treatment
Over-the-counter medication for pain and fever can be used for mild respiratory illness.
Some people may need to be hospitalized if severe respiratory illness is present.
There is no specific treatment for people with respiratory illness caused by EV-68.
Children, infants and teenagers are most likely to become infected with the virus, which can only be diagnosed by lab tests. There are no vaccines to prevent EV-68.
By Syrenthia Harris
Copyright 2014 Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.
Tue Oct 07, 2014 10:42 am