Rare children’s respiratory virus making presence known

WASHINGTON — A rare respiratory virus that primarily affects kids is making its presence known in the region.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says cases of enterovirus D68 have now been confirmed in 38 states — including Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, which is considered a state equivalent for statistics purposes.

And the 226 reported cases nationwide may be only the tip of the iceberg, as it takes a while to complete lab work and reporting requirements.

“It’s probably been here a few weeks and we’re getting confirmed cases now from the laboratories,” says Dr. Erik Schobitz, medical director of the pediatrics emergency department at Shady Grove Adventist hospital.

Schobitz says he has seen a spike in kids with respiratory problems — primarily, children with asthma, and those under the age of two.

The enterovirus was discovered in the early 1960s and hits every year about this time. But this autumn, the respiratory symptoms are more severe than usual.

The two Adventist HealthCare pediatric ERs alone — in Shady Grove and Germantown — are seeing far higher numbers of patients than normal these days. Schobitz says he is not overwhelmed with a lot of worried parents bringing their children in at the first sign of a cough or sneeze, as has been reported in other cities.

Instead, he is seeing a lot of really sick children.

He has some advice for parents who want to know the difference between a cold and the early stages of enterovirus D-68. A common cold brings nasal symptoms and maybe a low grade fever. But kids who get this strain of enterovirus can actually go into respiratory distress.

“If you have a child whose nostrils are flaring in and out each time they take a breath, if when they breathe their ribs are sucking in with each breathe of that little V at the base of their neck is sucking in, if while they are breathing their belly pops out and their chest caves in like a seesaw — those are are all signs of respiratory distress,” says Schobitz.

He also suggests a quick test. Schobitz says “I have them sing the alphabet. It is kind of goofy but if they can’t do it in a few breaths, we have an issue.”

There is no vaccine for the enterovirus, like there is for the flu. However, both are spread the same way and the same set of precautions apply, such as good hand washing.

He says kids with a mild case of this particular enterovirus should be kept home, and away from anyone with a compromised immune system. If they don’t rebound in a few days, it’s best to contact a pediatrician.

The CDC says the enterovirus season usually stretches from summer into fall. All the confirmed cases this year have been among children, except for one adult. And while there have numerous hospitalizations, there have been no deaths attributed to enterovirus D68.

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