Enterovirus D68

coughdrop.2.go, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2014

None in my State, but I hear it's on it's way to us (California). I'm waiting to see if our Health Department, or the bigger one near by, puts out an alert and I'll post in the offices.

abc123RN · Sep 9, 2014

Had one mom this morning! She works in a state what has confirmed cases, just 30 short minutes away from us. With all the past health issues of her little one, I am watching and checking frequently.

Wave Watcher · Sep 9, 2014

We are nowhere near any outbreaks. My teachers would be happy if we put them in space suits and breathing apparatuses. I have one teacher who has a runny nose and she thinks she has the virus. Over it. Wash your hands. Good hygiene. Common sense. I would be more concerned about Ebola. :-) But lets not put that into their heads just yet.

fetch, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2014

Today we got a letter from the state commissioner and are getting ready to send info home. Luckily the letter basically says "there's always more sick kids at the start of school, don't freak out unless they start wheezing, also WASH YOUR HANDS."

RNCourt · Sep 16, 2014

There are no confirmed cases in my state yet (Mass) however there are in states surrounding me. I do have one student in the school whose doctor has already prescribed him to take his inhaler every 4 hours even though he does not exhibit any symptoms. Has anyone else been prescribed to give inhalers prophylactically? I don't really understand how it will help.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2014

There are no confirmed cases in my state yet (Mass) however there are in states surrounding me. I do have one student in the school whose doctor has already prescribed him to take his inhaler every 4 hours even though he does not exhibit any symptoms. Has anyone else been prescribed to give inhalers prophylactically? I don't really understand how it will help.

Every 4 hours without symptoms? Not currently. (I am also in MA). Is this a student with particularly severe asthma?

The cold and allergies have been making the rounds (along with a short 24 GI bug), but nothing different than I'd expect at the beginning of the school year. I'm armed with info if I need it, but I've had no panic from parents and the MDPH has seen no cases, thankfully.

RNCourt · Sep 18, 2014

The student who has been prescribed this has the most mild case of asthma in the school I would say. I've been getting the same cold and allergy cases, and one solitary case of pink eye. Crossing my fingers!

Wave Watcher · Oct 2, 2014

We are nowhere near any outbreaks. My teachers would be happy if we put them in space suits and breathing apparatuses. I have one teacher who has a runny nose and she thinks she has the virus. Over it. Wash your hands. Good hygiene. Common sense. I would be more concerned about Ebola. :-) But lets not put that into their heads just yet.

And now there is Ebola. *sigh*

fetch, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2014

I had a cafeteria worker grab me this morning and demand to know if I had been "briefed" about Ebola! I explained to her about the mode of transmission, that it is NOT airborne and ONLY direct contact, and that the reason for all the extra precautions in Texas is meant to be over-kill. She started to feel better by the end I think, but I am so tired of this fear-mongering.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Oct 3, 2014

I had a cafeteria worker grab me this morning and demand to know if I had been "briefed" about Ebola! I explained to her about the mode of transmission, that it is NOT airborne and ONLY direct contact, and that the reason for all the extra precautions in Texas is meant to be over-kill. She started to feel better by the end I think, but I am so tired of this fear-mongering.

I just wrote a blurb for our bi-weekly family newsletter about EV-D68 (and with the news of the child from RI, just next door to me, I am just cringing...).

Am I going to have to write another about Ebola now? :banghead:

allnurses Guide · Oct 3, 2014

There is a thread on the blue side about EV-D68 and Ebola. Just an FYI.

Ebola in Texas | allnurses

EV-D68 is a late summer/early fall virus that comes every year. So many enteroviruses . . . the one for the common cold and the one for TRUE polio. Runs the gamut.

This is a non-polio enterovirus. There are some cases - I think 4 - where kids have some issues with paralysis symptoms. And the child who died had a staph infection as well and from what I've read, that is what killed her.

It is more dangerous for the kids with lung issues like asthma or adults with COPD. Otherwise, we've all had it at one time or another.