Once school begins, the likelihood that colds and flu will spread increases.

 

This year, there have already been reports of children with flu-like symptoms in school.

 

Last week, Sherburne County Community Health Administrator Kathy Landwehr gave a report to the county board about Enterovirus D68, the latest virus affecting the younger population. 

 

As of mid-week, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) had confirmed more than 130 cases, all children, in Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Alabama, Indiana,  Louisiana, New York, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. There have been no confirmed cases in Minnesota yet, although there have been numerous visits to emergency rooms by children with respiratory symptoms.

 

“Enteroviruses are not uncommon in children. We tend to see them more in the spring and the fall. It’s another sign that fall is imminent,” said Landwehr.

 

The virus causes cold-like symptoms, fever, body aches, coughing, stuffy nose, sneezing and sometimes a rash. It typically affects children six months to 16 years old.

 

“This one seems to be developing into having asthma-like symptoms,” said Landwehr. “The CDC and health departments are watching that.”

 

Most cases run the course in a week. However, in some children, especially those with asthma, the symptoms can intensify where the child has difficulty breathing and difficulty getting enough oxygen into their lungs.

 

Enteroviruses can be found in respiratory secretions such as saliva and mucus. It can spread from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes or touches a surface, contaminating it. It can also be transmitted through infected feces, so it can be spread by improper handwashing after using the toilet or changing a diaper. 

 

While many viruses are airborne, enteroviruses are transmitted by droplet. 

 

“Airborne can go a further distance  to infect someone,” says Landwehr. “A droplet tends to be heavier and can only go so far and then it falls on to a surface. That’s where social distancing comes in. Sitting across a table or across a desk is far enough.”

 

Common household disinfectants and detergents are effective on enteroviruses, so cleaning surfaces like doorknobs and toys helps prevent the spread of the virus.

 

There are no vaccines for Enterovirus D68, and once someone is infected, there are no anti-viral medications to treat it. And antibiotics won’t work on a virus. But symptoms such as fever and muscle aches can be relieved while the infection runs its course.

 

“What we at Public Health would like to convery to everyone, and it may sound very familiar to 2009 and the H1N1 virus,” says Landwehr, “the things we can do to protect ourself and others - handwashing is the biggest thing we can do, covering your cough and staying home when you’re sick.”