The Centers for Disease Control have reported increased numbers of children being seen for respiratory illnesses that are requiring hospitalizations and some stays in the intensive care unit in ten states. They have identified Enterovirus D68 (or EV-D68) as the likely source of many of these illnesses.
In the past two weeks, Primary Children’s has seen increased numbers of children admitted to the hospital with serious respiratory disease symptoms, including pneumonia and asthma. Many are testing positive for the family of viruses that includes EV-D68, but we do not have a test that identifies the specific strain. We are waiting on confirmation from the CDC, but we suspect EV-D68 may be here in Utah.
The hospital has increased its surveillance of respiratory illness and is planning for increased numbers of children hospitalized for respiratory illness much earlier than the usual winter season. Parents should know that most children with cold symptoms are not going to get severely ill. However, if a child has difficulty breathing or is wheezing, they should see their primary care provider or seek medical attention. Children with asthma may be more at risk, and they should follow their asthma care plan. If a child with asthma has worsening symptoms, they should see their physician.
“People can help protect themselves and their children,” says Dr. Andrew Pavia, Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Primary Children’s Hospital epidemiologist. “Wash your hands frequently, avoid close contact with people who are sick, disinfect frequently-touched surfaces, and stay home if you are ill.
My son Boston started with a runny nose on Aug 31st then came a cough on the 1st of Sept. I thought nothing but he had a cold. Late in the night into Sept 2nd he was restless, would not sleep, fever with chills. Then boom 4am his ribs were protruding out and breathing so quickly. I took him to the ER and they took him straight back. Breathing treatment his lungs sounded clear and nothing showed on the xray. They had no clue what was going on with him. His oxygen levels dropped they admitted him into the hospital. No antibiotics were given only breathing treatments and 2 days in the hospital. We left without a diagnosis. But with everything on the news and social media I know he had this terrible virus. Watch your kids so close because it literally comes on so fast.
What recommendations would there be for newborn babies?
Hi Sara - There aren’t any different recommendations for newborns. If you notice that your child has difficulty breathing or is wheezing, see your primary care provider or seek medical attention. As always, follow good hygiene practices including, washing your hands frequently, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, disinfecting frequently used surfaces, and staying home if you are ill.
Thanks for the response! We plan to stay essentially quarantined for 6-8 weeks as per our pediatrician’s instructions. We’ll just stick with that plan I guess.
I am a mother with CF. I assume adults can catch this virus as well?
We don’t know yet. So far, the cases that have been serious enough for hospitalization have been children.
Read this
Is it dangerous for adults as well? I work with children, and I’m pregnant, so I worry about a lowered immune system.
We don’t know yet. The cases that have been serious enough to be hospitalized have been children.
What is the standard of treatment for this, supportive care? Are steroids or Antibiotics (even though I understand it’s viral) being used? Are the more severe cases seen in children with respiratory issues or simply any child?
The treatment depends on the child and their conditions. We don’t know if there’s anyone who’s more at risk. In fact, we have not yet confirmed whether the children we have seen have this virus. We expect to know that later this week.
Great, thanks for the update. I’m an ER nurse in San Diego and also have two little ones. I’ll be sure to spread the word with the schools and keep an eye on this thread for more info.
I understand this is a blog from Primary and we are reading ‘reports’ of this but we have a local news reporter and I also just checked the CDC website and it shows no known cases in Utah as of yesterday? Our reporter has also said she had confirmation from 2 different doctors and also the CDC that no cases of this have been reported, yet.
I have a 2-year-old who has had a bad cough for about a week now. His sickness, however, started over a month ago. Took him in at the beginning and the doctor tested him for strep, which was negative. He got better a few day later, but never really lost the cough. Last weekend he woke up with a fever of 102 and a cough. The fever went down after some ibuprofen, but returned the next day’s evening at 102 again. Took him to instacare the next morning. No fever that day, and of course he didn’t cough once while there. They did a chest x-ray just to make sure they weren’t missing anything. Nothing showed up. Now, we are three days later and he still has a pretty awful cough, mostly at night and in the morning. No more fever, but it just seems he is not getting better. He doesn’t seem like he is gasping for air, but I’m wondering if he has this virus and if I should be worried.
Hi Christina - You should certainly contact your primary care provider, and seek medical attention if the cough doesn’t improve or worsens. We can’t give medical advice without seeing your child, but please follow up with a medical provider. There are many related viruses and he may or may not have this strain. If he’s having trouble breath or wheezing, then he needs to be seen right away.
[…] Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) and Utah: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from http://primarychildrenshospitalblog.org/2014/09/09/enterovirus-d68-ev-d68-and-utah-what-you-need-to-… […]
my son has had a terrible cough going on for days now. also a runny nose and it looks like he has trouble drinking his bottle cause he cant breath well. he hasnt had a fever yet, but im just concered with this virus out and spreading so fast. maybe im just ‘over reacting’ but should i bring him in to his primary just to be safe ? or wait this out?
Hi Kesia,
You should certainly contact your primary care provider and seek medical attention if the cough doesn’t improve or worsens. We can’t give medical advice without seeing your child, but please follow up with a medical provider. There are many related viruses and he may or may not have this strain. If he’s having trouble breath or wheezing, then he needs to be seen right away.