Respiratory Virus Hospitalizing Kids Across Midwest: What You Need to Know

Wisconsin and other Midwestern states are on alert for a severe respiratory illness that has sickened hundreds of children.

Enterovirus 68 could be in as many as a dozen states. In Kansas City, Mo., at least 19 cases were confirmed with many more suspected cases pending test results, the Centers for Disease Control stated. Iowa, Illinois and Colorado also had confirmed cases.

Suspected cases have been reported in Ohio, Georgia, Michigan, Alabama, Oklahoma, Kansas, Kentucky and Utah, CNN reported.

So far, there have not been any confirmed cased in Wisconsin, WRN Radio Network reported.

The virus can cause severe respiratory illness in children and has resulted in some patients being admitted to intensive care units, the Centers for Disease Control stated. In Chicago there were more than a dozen confirmed cases, including two instances in which mechanical ventilation was required.

The CDC states that common symptoms are cough, wheezing and shortness of breath and it notes that some will be people will be much more impacted by the illness than others. So far the illness has tended to infect infants, children and adolescents disproportionately.

The disease does not cause permanent damage and goes away as the body “clears the virus and the inflammatory reaction” subsides. To prevent infection the CDC suggests the following:

• Wash your hands
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid kissing, hugging, sharing cups or utensils with anyone who is ill
• Teach children to cover their mouths when coughing
• Disinfect counters, toys, doorknobs and phones regularly