Rosedale Child Recovers from Enterovirus

Drew Ratajczak, 9, went to Franklin Square’s emergency room two days in a row recently, the second time as he was turning blue around the mouth, according to WBAL.

Medical staff told his mother, Brandi Ratajczak, that he seemed to have a bad cold, but she had heard of enterovirus D68 and asked her pediatrician to test him for it, WJZ reported; the test came back positive for enterovirus.

On Wednesday, the Maryland Department of Mental Health and Hygiene confirmed that the first case of enterovirus D68 was found in a specimen collected from a hospitalized child in suburban Maryland, who has since been released from the hospital and is recovering.

Authorities cannot confirm the specifics about the case due to privacy issues.

However, Brandi Ratajczak of Rosedale said that she believes it may be her son.

According to WBAL, which broke the story of Drew Ratajczak’s experience earlier this week, “dozens” of others have reported they think that they or their children have the virus as well.

Signs of enterovirus D68 can range from mild issues like runny nose, sneezing, cough, fever and body/muscle aches to more serious symptoms such as wheezing and difficulty breathing, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Blueness around the mouth and trouble breathing are other red flags, a state infectious disease specialist told ABC 2 News.

People with asthma, which Drew Ratajczak reportedly has, are at increased risk.

Because there is no specific treatment for enterovirus D68, a diagnosis doesn‘t change protocol, health officials said; if there is wheezing, then medical professionals treat the wheezing, and if someone has problems breathing, then officials provide respiratory support and oxygen.

As of Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that enterovirus D68 had been confirmed in 220 people across 32 states.