It seems to be mostly affecting children who suffer from
mild asthma and those who live in the Midwest .
Health Briefs reports on the respiratory illness that is sending kids to the
hospital.
It starts off as a cold and quickly turns much more serious
when a child cannot breathe and his or her face is turning blue. The human enterovirus 68 starts off mimicking
the symptoms of the common cold. But within hours, it can become fatal if
parents do not rush kids into the emergency room. It has sent thousands of kids
in 10 states to the hospital. Doctors believe that with summer over and school
back in session, kids are picking up viruses from other kids and bringing them
home to siblings. Symptoms can be the same as the common cold: runny nose,
sneezing, watery eyes, and some experience wheezing. But when that wheezing
becomes more labored, it’s time to get the child to an urgent care center or
hospital. Health Briefs TV notes that the CDC recommends basic sanitary
practices to avoid spreading germs and the virus such as washing hands often,
avoid those who are sick, and covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing.
Parents of asthmatic children should be sure inhalers are up to date and kept
in a handy place. Caregivers and teachers should know how to handle a child
suffering an asthma attach. The key to preventing a serious respiratory illness
is knowledge.
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