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\nEvery year, millions of children in the United States catch enteroviruses that can cause coughing, sneezing, and fever. These viruses most often spread in the summer and fall. Enterovirus D68 is one of many enteroviruses that can make people sick. Take basic steps to protect your child and others.
\nInfants, children, and teenagers are at higher risk than adults for getting infected and sick with enteroviruses like enterovirus D68 (EV-D68). That\u2019s because they may not have been exposed to these types of viruses before, and they may not yet have immunity (protection) built up to fight the disease. If your child has asthma, he or she may be at greater risk for severe respiratory illness from EV-D68.
\nIn August 2014, a couple of states started seeing more children in hospitals with severe respiratory illness caused by EV-D68. In the months following this discovery, CDC and states did more testing and found that EV-D68 was making people sick in almost all states. Most of the cases were among children, many who had asthma or a history of wheezing. EV-D68 is not new, but activity varies from year to year. Better lab testing has led to easier detection of EV-D68.
\nEV-D68 can cause mild to severe respiratory illness.
\nMild symptoms may include:
\nSevere symptoms may include:
\nCall your child\u2019s doctor if he or she is having difficulty breathing, if you feel you are unable to control symptoms, or if symptoms are getting worse. Your child may need to be hospitalized if he or she develops severe illness.
\nWashing hands correctly is the most important thing you can do to stay healthy.
\n \nFollow these steps to protect your children from EV-D68 & other viruses.
\n \nChildren with asthma are particularly at risk for severe symptoms from EV-D68 infection.
\nTo help avoid catching and spreading EV-D68, parents and children should always follow these basic steps to stay healthy:
\nThere is no specific treatment for EV-D68. Talk to your child\u2019s doctor about the best way to control his or her symptoms.
\nChildren with asthma are particularly at risk for severe symptoms from EV-D68 infection. If your child has asthma, take some steps to prepare in case he or she catches EV-D68. CDC recommends you do the following to help maintain control of your child\u2019s asthma during enterovirus season, which occurs each year in the U.S. during summer and fall:
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