Enterovirus D68
Valerie Webb
HCS245

Vickie Wright

Enterovirus D68
Many are aware of the growing enterovirus that is spreading across many states since August of this year. It is abbreviated as EV-D68, and is one of many non-polio enteroviruses (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). It was first identified in California back in 1962, but since then it has not made its appearance known until recently. It is a very scary infection because it targets children (infants, children, and teens). Although there have been no reported deaths thus far since August, there have been many that have been hospitalized, and some have had to be admitted into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). At the greatest risk of this virus are those children that are affected by asthma or have a history of reactive airway disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014).
As of right now, the CDC is focusing on prevention, as there is no cure for the EV-D68. This can be classified as a ‘primary’ disease type. Everyone is being advised to wash hands for a minimum of 20 seconds, especially after changing a baby’s diaper. Many of the regular sanitary precautions that people take to avoid getting sick, are recommended to keep from getting this infection. Some of these include: avoiding touching the face with unwashed hands; avoid sharing items with people who are sick; avoid kissing and hugging with those who are sick; disinfect all surfaces that are frequently touched, especially if someone in the household has not been feeling well. For those children that have a history of asthma, they are being recommended to remember to take their medications and have their inhalers on hand in case they come in contact with the virus.
Some may consider the EV-D68 to be a ‘tertiary’ disease type, as many are receiving treatment in hospitals after diagnosis. Once this virus has ahold of its host, it can cause symptoms ranging from a runny nose, cough, fever, sneezing, and body aches (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). Many of those affected have a severely difficult time breathing, and this has landed them in the hospital for treatment. Once there, they receive fluids and oxygen to help them try and fight off the infection. Those who are not affected are recommended to stay away from hospitals for this reason (they would be making themselves more susceptible to getting the infection).
This virus has greatly impacted the medical world as it is increasing the number of patients seen in hospitals and doctors’ offices. The CDC is also working hard on trying to find a cure for the EV-D68. Because this virus is affecting mainly infants, children, and teens, many parents are finding that they have to keep them home from school or take them out of daycare, for fear of spreading the virus if the child has those symptoms, or for fear of the child contracting the infection. As one can imagine, this can keep the parent from working, and the child from school; both of which affect society as a whole. The recent influx of this virus has led Public Health Departments around the United States to delve deeper into the patients’ symptoms, and to also look back at patients who were not previously tested (Stein, 2014). This has caused a backlog of testing, which means more states may actually have already been affected and the number of those who were diagnosed with the EV-D68, may rise (Stein, 2014).
As with all viruses or infections that are newer, society and the media is covering this outbreak of EV-D68 with gusto. Because viruses and infections can mutate and change to their environment (some have the ability), this will always be something that happens. What everyone needs to practice, is good sanitary precautions. This can help to prevent many of the ailments that surface. As of right now, hospitalization is the worst case scenario for those who are affected; which is not that bad. This still strikes fear in families, as doctors have said that a child can go from mild symptoms to being minutes from death (from lack of oxygen).

References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014, September 18). Enterovirus D68. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov
Stein, L. (2014, September 16). Children's respiratory illness spreads to a dozen U.S. states: CDC. Retrieved from http://www.reuters.com