Enterovirus spreads throughout country, launches Flu season

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  • 56th Medical Group
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Enterovirus is spreading throughout the country starting from the East Coast, making its way to the West.

From mid August to Sept. 18, a total of 153 people in 18 states were confirmed to have respiratory illness caused by EV-D68. In the upcoming weeks, more states will have confirmed cases of EV-D68 infection. Specimens are still being tested for EV-D68. It can take a while to test specimens and obtain lab results. That's because the testing is complex and slower, and can only be done by the Centers for Disease Control and a small number of state public health laboratories. The cases of EV-D68 infection were confirmed by the CDC or state public health laboratories that notified CDC.

Nonpolio enteroviruses are very common viruses. They cause about 10 to 15 million infections in the U.S. each year. Infants, children, and teenagers are more likely to get infected and become sick. That's because they do not yet have immunity (protection) from previous exposures to the viruses. However, most people who get infected with nonpolio enteroviruses do not get sick. Or, they may have mild illness, like the common cold. But some people can get very sick and have infection of their heart or brain or even become paralyzed. Infants and people with weakened immune systems have a greater chance of having these complications.

Just like EV-D68, influenza, flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season. There is no vaccine to protect you from nonpolio enterovirus infection.

You can get exposed to the virus EV-D68 by having close contact, such as touching or shaking hands, with an infected person, touching objects or surfaces that have the virus on them, changing diapers of an infected person, or even drinking water that has the virus in it. For the flu, most experts believe that the virus spreads mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or possibly their nose. You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you're sick. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven days after becoming sick.

Signs and symptoms will vary slightly from each virus. EV-D68 signs and symptoms may be fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, skin rash, mouth blisters, body and muscle aches. Individuals often feel some or all of the following: fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, fatigue, some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

You can help protect yourself and others from EV-D68 and influenza infections by washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and changing diapers, avoiding close contact, such as touching and shaking hands with people who are sick and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces. It is highly recommended for individuals to receive the flu vaccine for prevention.

For more information about symptoms, contact a health care provider. The above information is attained by the CDC. For more information visit www.cdc.gov