Enterovirus D68: What You Need to Know

Enterovirus D68  has officially arrived in the Tampa Bay area.

The first Florida case was confirmed by state health officials Tuesday, involving a 10-year-old girl from Polk County who was treated and released from a Hillsborough County hospital. While the virus has sickened hundreds of people across the country, and has been present in four recent deaths, health officials say there are steps people can take to prevent the illness – and other similar respiratory infections – from spreading.

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is just one of more than 100 non-polio enteroviruses, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It was first identified back in 1962. The CDC has received reports about this illness on a regular basis since 1987, but the numbers have been small until this year.

“However, this year the number of people reported with confirmed EV-D68 infection is much greater than that reported in previous years,” the CDC website says. As of Tuesday, 628 people in 44 states and the District of Columbia have been confirmed to have the illness.

Enterovirus is common in the summer and fall. Cases, the CDC says, tend to decline later in the fall season. As the peak season for infection arrives, here are some things about EV-D68 you should know:

Symptoms of EV-D68

The illness has symptoms that are classified as mild and severe. In mild cases, people may have a runny nose, fever, cough, sneezing and muscle aches. Severe symptoms include difficulty breathing and wheezing. Medical attention should be sought if symptoms worsen or it becomes difficult to breathe, the CDC says.

Spreading the Illness

Like other respiratory infections, EV-D68 spreads through contact with a sick person’s respiratory secretions. That includes nasal mucus, sputum and saliva. It spreads when a sick person sneezes, coughs or touches a surface that is touched by others.

The Risk Factors

While adults can contract EV-D68, they tend to only suffer mild symptoms, if any, the CDC says. The higher risk pool includes infants, children and teens that haven’t developed immunity to enteroviruses yet. Kids with asthma are more likely to develop severe respiratory illness that can be caused by EV-D68, the CDC says.

Treatments

EV-D68 doesn’t have a specific course of treatment. Rather, doctors recommend treating the symptoms as they arise with over-the-counter medications. If severe respiratory illness presents, hospitalization may be required. There are no antiviral medications meant to specifically treat EV-D68, the CDC says.

Tips for Prevention

The CDC recommends people take these steps to avoid contracting EV-D68 and other similar respiratory infections:

• Wash hands frequently using soap and water for at least 20 seconds each session
• Avoid touching the mouth, nose and eyes with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick, this includes kissing or hugging
• Always cover coughs and sneezes with a shirt sleeve or tissue
• Disinfect and clean frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs and handles
• Stay home when you are sick

For more information about EV-D68, visit the CDC online.

See Also:

• Enterovirus D68 Makes its Way to Tampa Bay

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