There has been a lot of talk in the news about the Enterovirus-D68. What we hear in the news can sound scary. The Vermont Department of Health has some practical information about EV-D68 and how to help prevent the spread of illness in our community.
EV-68 is one type of virus from a group of very common viruses called enteroviruses. Most people who are infected with enteroviruses have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, but some infections can be serious. In the U.S., people are more likely to get enteroviruses in the summer and fall.
Children who are mildly ill might have:
- Cold symptoms: runny nose, congestion
- Wheezing: especially in children who have asthma, but wheezing might occur in other children as well
- Cough
- Fever (sometimes, but not always with this infection)
A history of asthma may put children at higher risk for severe illness from EV-68. Children with severe illness might have trouble breathing or severe wheezing, and should be evaluated by a medical provider as soon as possible.
This virus spreads from close contact with an infected person who is coughing or sneezing, or from
contaminated hands and common objects such as toys, bottles and cups and furniture surfaces that are soiled with mucous or saliva from an infected person.
To best protect your family, follow these suggestions for infection control:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers and after coughing and sneezing into your hands.
- Teach children to always cover their cough with a tissue or cough into the crook of their elbow instead of into their hands.
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Don’t kiss, hug or share cups/utensils with people who are sick.
- Disinfect surfaces that are touched often, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
Keep your child at home if she/he appears to be severely ill, or meets general exclusion criteria such as fever with cough, worsening respiratory symptoms (including wheezing), or other symptoms that prevent the child from joining in activities as determined by school staff.
Treat typical cold symptoms such as: stuffy nose, headache, fatigue and sore throat as you normally would, with rest, drink plenty of liquids, use saline nasal drops and run a humidifier in the home. Keep a close eye on sick children, especially those with asthma. If you notice a child is breathing faster or harder than usual, call your healthcare provider right away.
Be aware of the general emergency warning signs in a child, which include:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing that persists or worsens
- Bluish skin color or lips
- Dehydration suspected: No urine output for more than 8 hours AND very dry mouth, no tears AND not taking or able to hold oral fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Symptoms improve then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/enterovirus/documents/EV68_parent_letter_20140915.pdf
Please refer to the following website from the Vermont Department of Health for further information.
http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/enterovirus/ev68.aspx
Sincerely,
Kristen Taylor, RN
Smilie Memorial School
Tuesdays, Thursday and Friday mornings
434-2757
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