A respiratory illness brought on by a virus identified as EV-D68 has been victimizing hundreds of children in Virginia since early this month.
As of writing, while the exact number is yet to be declared, EV-D68 cases have been confirmed after children is brought to several pediatric hospitals around the state. All these children were brought to the attention of doctors after suffering varying degrees of respiratory issues. A huge fraction of these children are currently under intensive care.
Dr. Laurie Forlano, an epidemiologist for the Virginia Health Department, says more and more children are currently being brought to health facilities due to acute respiratory issues. However, the majority of these confined cases is yet to be examined in order to be confirmed if caused by the EV-D68.
According on the online health resource WebMD, EV-D68 symptoms often include general respiratory infection symptoms such as high fever, cough which is often spiralling to asthma and runny nose. As of writing, doctors in Virginia who are keeping keen eyes on the progression of the viral infection declares that 25 to 30% of the reported cases among children experience these common respiratory infection symptoms.
However, on top of the mentioned infection symptoms, rashes, gastrointestinal issues, cough that has spiraled to asthma episodes and even malaise should also be looked out for by both parents and health professionals in the state as these symptoms suggest a stronger infection within the patient's body.
Dr. Forlano says that lab tests are to be performed in order to confirm if the confined cases are all caused by EV-D68. The lab test will primarily be performed by major research centers such as the CDC. Sampling will be done by the hospital where the victim is confined and the sample will be securely sent to the testing center.
At the moment, the CDC and the State Health Department in Virginia are urging parents, health officials and even teachers keep a close eye on children who show even the slightest cold.
