Be aware of symptoms of enterovirus

An unusual enterovirus called EV-D68 that has caused severe respiratory illnesses in children in the Midwest and about 10 other states may have arrived in Central Oregon.

Over the last week, St. Charles Bend has treated at least two children with severe respiratory illnesses, one of whom tested positive for possible human rhinovirus or enterovirus. While the hospital's rapid in-house viral respiratory PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test can detect those types of viruses, it can't single out which strain it might be.

St. Charles has sent this isolate to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for further testing to determine if it is EV-D68. Because the CDC is facing a backlog of tests, it could take a week or longer before St. Charles receives the results. Both Washington and California now have confirmed cases of EV-D68, the CDC has reported.

Though the presence of EV-D68 has not yet been confirmed in Central Oregon, St. Charles is asking the community to be aware of the symptoms of EV-D68, which include:

• Fever;

• Runny nose;

• Sneezing;

• Coughing;

• Body and muscle aches;

• Rash;

• Conjunctivitis.

People with mild illness caused by enterovirus infection usually don't require treatment and recover completely. However, some cases can be severe enough to require hospitalization and supportive care. The CDC reports that most of the children in the Midwest who were very ill with EV-D68 had difficulty breathing, and some experienced wheezing. Many of these children also suffered from asthma or a history of wheezing.

"If your child is having trouble breathing, be aware that this enterovirus - especially in children with asthma - can be associated with severe respiratory problems," said Dr. Rebecca Sherer, St. Charles' medical director of infection prevention and control. "If they're having difficulty breathing, err on the side of taking them in for care."

As the respiratory virus season approaches, be sure to:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Avoid close contact, such as shaking hands, with sick people.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and toss the tissue in the nearest waste can after use. If no tissue is available, use your sleeve.

• Keep ill children at home away from school and classmates.