The Enterovirus D68 – Not Just the Common Cold

As if the Ebola virus wasn’t enough to raise concerns, now we have a respiratory virus that is sickening children in several states including where we live, Colorado. According to the centers of disease control this virus is in enterovirus which is related to the rhinovirus which causes the common cold.

So the enterovirus is now making its way through the population. For us out here in Colorado, it seemed to begin with the onset of the new school year. Every year when the kids head back to school, it is almost predictable that they will come down with a cold, or something of that nature. I am not sure if this is because they are being exposed to new germs, or if it is just par for the course with the introducing of a new population into a confined space, but this year the virus that has been spreading with some alarming symptoms is the Enterovirus EVD-68.

EVD-68 is not a new strain of Enterovirus, apparently it was first discovered in 1962 however it is not a very common strain, but it has been around for a while. The mass media has made this virus a highlight over the past several weeks as the numbers of children effected with this virus continue to grow, and lead to hospitalizations, especially in children that are suffering from asthma.

According to a study completed in 2012 by the CDC, there are an estimated 6.8 million children in the United States that actively have asthma. With that number probably higher as the information from the study is over 2 years old, it is safe to assume that the 6.8 million numbers are likely higher. And if these children end up acquiring this virus, they are at an increased risk of respiratory complications, which could lead to hospitalization.

With this particular virus, the younger population seems to be at a greater risk of acquiring it, and not being able to fight it. This could be due to many potential contributing factors, but as with any virus, keeping your family safe and the sickness at bay is what people should be putting their attention on.  Most of the people that do come down with EVD-68 that end up requiring hospitalization and intervention are those with respiratory problems.

And for whatever reason this virus is making a big impression, with over 460 confirmed cases nationwide, which is huge when compared to the totals from 2009 through 2013, there were 79 confirmed cases, according to the National Enterovirus Surveillance System.

So what is the difference now? Why is there such a huge increase this year compared to the previous four years? Unfortunately, I do not have the answer to this, but I do have my own suspicions.

With the current border situation, meaning we really don’t have one, could the people that are coming here be bringing this virus, along with others into our country?  This is something to think about, especially as the population of the Unite States seems to be growing, not including the citizens that either come here legally, and those who are born here. In this report from Snopes it states that I am probably false, although they really give no facts. I’m not saying this is the cause, however it is curious that this year the increase of those effected by this virus has grown so much.

The signs and symptoms of EVD-68 are:

• Fever
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Body and muscle aches.

The more severe symptoms may include wheezing and difficulty breathing. And if you or someone you are caring for is showing these symptoms, don’t mess around, get medical assistance immediately. If you are caring for someone who is ill, and you hear them gasping for breath, or the skin around their lips looks kind of a bluish, gray color, this would be due to lack of oxygen, and this is the time you need to call 911 for emergence medical assistance.

So how do you keep yourself and your family safe from this virus, and more importantly, other illnesses? The best answer is to prepare your immune system, and focus on prevention.

The number one way to prevent infection is to wash your hands. This cannot be stressed enough. Always carry hand sanitizer with you, and when possible, wash your hands. You can also help protect yourself by staying away from crowded areas, and boos your immune system. Focus on eating healthy, increasing fluids, and up your intake of vitamin C. Garlic is also great to add to your diet to help offer immune system power.

Increase fruits and vegetables, as well as protein. A good diet can do a lot to make sure your body is at its best to fight off foreign bugs that will do everything they can to infiltrate their way into your body.

Remember, a virus cannot live without a host, and it will mutate, transform, or do whatever it takes in order to survive. If you think about it, viruses and bacteria are kind of like survivalists and preppers too, so give yourself the best defense and prepare your body, and get healthy now. If your body is healthy, it makes it easier for all of your bodily systems to work better, which can help keep you from getting sick.

Take this information for what it is, information, and should be used for education. If you want or need medical advice, contact your professional health care provider.

By focusing on the preventative is far better than having to face the planning of what to do after you or a family member comes down with this virus, or any virus for that matter.

If you or family members already have respiratory problems, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc. You should be very mindful of how to prevent illness, and even more germophobic than the rest of the population. However, I feel it is better to promote overall health at all times, and always do everything you can to prevent illness. If you do it on a routine basis and make it a part of your daily routine, you will be doing your part to keep yourself healthy, and hopefully illness free.

References:

CDC. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6336a4.htm?s_cid=mm6336a4_w

CDC. Clusters of acute respiratory illness associated with human enterovirus 68—Asia, Europe, and United States, 2008–2010.