By: Bobbi Zahn, Activities Manager

The enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) should worry most children and teenagers—especially ones with respiratory conditions such as asthma. The EV-D68 is a severe respiratory virus, which can cause death and paralysis. Not popular to most, this virus has been widespread in recent months. So far, it has killed one toddler and has infected people in forty-three states.

Health Academy senior Alex Lowie says, “It’s probably a bigger threat to the US right now because more people have it than Ebola. […] there have been other enteroviruses but we haven’t seen one of this magnitude.”

EV-D68’s symptoms include: fever, runny nose, sneezing, aches, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. The virus is spread through contact such as the infected patient coughing, sneezing, or touching a surface that others can come into contact with.

Another cause for concern about EV-D68 is the fact that there is no medicine to help with the virus. No cure or antiviral medications have been made to help those infected.

Senior Katarina Eckstein Schoemann, who is in Health Academy as well, says, “The first person in Florida was infected. The symptoms can range from really major to minor.”

There have been two confirmed cases of EV-D68 in Florida. The public tends to be more susentible to the virus during the summer and fall seasons, as most of the cases are reported during this time. Children with asthma or other respiratory illness are more likely to develop severe symptoms when in contact with this virus.

Junior Julia Bitar says, “My mom is a nurse and told me about [the respiratory virus] I think more people need to keep track of viruses going around because you can look for symptoms and watch out for it.”

Since the virus is so unheard of, many of the symptoms are written off as the common cold. In truth, the symptoms are revealing something much darker in nature. The best ways to defend one’s self against EV-D68 are to wash hands frequently and avoid those who exhibit symptoms along with commonly touched items/areas. For more information on safeguarding one’s health, visit the CDC’s website.