From California to Maine, a fast-growing virus swept across America in 2014, infecting almost 1,000 children and causing 11 deaths. While this disease has been around since the early 1960s, not much was known about Enterovirus D68 until last year’s large outbreak that terrified parents and caused widespread panic.

What Is Enterovirus D68?

There are more than a hundred different kinds of enteroviruses that infect 10 to 15 million people annually. Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is just one kind of these common viruses. Most enteroviruses are not serious and most often affect the gastrointestinal tract, leading to stomach flu and diarrhea. EV-D68 is similar to the human rhinovirus, which typically affects the respiratory tract and causes the common cold.

Most of the cases reported last year affected children between the ages of 6 months to 16 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with a high number of cases hovering around ages 4 and 5. While EV-D68 is not uncommon, last year’s strain hit children with a history of breathing problems particularly hard.

According to Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, more than half of the children (ages 6 months to 16 years old) hospitalized for enterovirus had asthma or a history of breathing difficulties.

Symptoms of EV-D68

Fortunately, most children who develop D68 have mild to moderate symptoms that are similar to the everyday common cold and last about seven days. These include:

·         Runny nose

·         Cough


·         Sneezing

·         Sore throat

·         Mild fever

·         Body aches

However, in children with a known history of respiratory problems including asthma, symptoms may be more severe and last longer. Severe symptoms include:

·         Wheezing

·         Difficulty breathing

·         Bluish discoloration of the lips

·         High fever

·         Vomiting/diarrhea

·         Rash

No Need to Panic

In many cases, a child infected with EV-D68 will experience only mild upper respiratory symptoms, such as cough and congestion. Most symptoms only last about a week, and extra TLC is the best treatment. Because EV-D68 is caused by a virus, not bacteria, antibiotics won’t help.

“Many of us will have EV-D68,” says Dr. Michael Fine, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, said in a statement. “Most of us will have very mild symptoms, and all but very few will recover quickly and completely. The vast majority of children exposed to EV-D68 recover completely.”


If a child develops more serious symptoms, which typically begin with wheezing and difficulty breathing, get medical attention right away.  

How Can I Stop The Spread Of EV-D68?

Protecting an EV-D68 outbreak is similar to stopping the spread of most childhood illnesses, including colds and flu. Here are some common-sense strategies for keeping the bug at bay:

·         Have your children wash their hands frequently with soap and warm water for 20 to 30 seconds.

·         Keep hands away from eyes, nose and mouth.

·         Clean commonly touched surfaces such as toys, remote controls and doorknobs.

·         Person-to-person contact is how most enteroviruses are spread; keep your child home if he or she is sick.

·         Cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

·         Make sure your child’s asthma is constantly under control to prevent EV-D68 from causing a severe infection. Seek immediate medical attention if your asthmatic child has signs of a severe infection.