BACKGROUND
Enteroviruses
• Enteroviruses are very common viruses; there are more than 100 types.
• It is estimated that 10 to 15 million enterovirus infections occur in the United States each year.
• Enteroviruses can cause respiratory illness, febrile rash, and neurologic illnesses, such as aseptic meningitis (swelling of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord) and encephalitis (swelling of the brain).
• Most infected people have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, but some infections can be serious.
• Infants, children, and teenagers are most likely to get infected with enteroviruses and become sick.
• Most enterovirus infections in the United States occur seasonally during the summer and fall.
Enterovirus D68
• Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) infections are thought to occur less commonly than infections with other enteroviruses.
• EV-D68 was first identified in California in 1962. Compared with other enteroviruses, EV D68 has been rarely reported in the United States.
SYMPTOMS
• EV-D68 has been reported to cause mild to severe respiratory illness. However, the full spectrum of EV-D68 illness is not well-defined.
TRANSMISSION
• EV-D68 causes respiratory illness, and the virus can be found in respiratory secretions such as saliva, nasal mucus, or sputum. The virus likely spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches surfaces.
TREATMENT
• There is no specific treatment for EV-D68 infections.
Many infections will be mild and self-limited, requiring only treatment of the symptoms.
Some people with severe respiratory illness caused by EV-D68 may need to be hospitalized
and receive intensive supportive therapy.
Age under 5 years and history of asthma and wheezing may be risk factors associated with
severe illness according to the recent MMWR article.
• No antiviral medications are currently available for treating of EV-D68 infections.
PREVENTION
• There are no vaccines for preventing EV-D68 infections.
• You can help protect yourself from respiratory illnesses by following these steps:
Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick
Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is
sick.
Stay home if you are sick. You should return to school/work when the fever has resolved
(without fever-reducing medications).