Suspected Cases Of Enterovirus D68 In Conn., Rhode Island
BOSTON (CBS) - The virus that has sickened thousands of kids and sent dozens to the hospital throughout the country has hit the Northeast.
There are suspected cases of Enterovirus D68 in Connecticut and Rhode Island. The Massachusetts Department of Health says they have no known cases yet, but are asking medical providers to let the department know if they see an increase in respiratory illness.
The virus can cause severe respiratory illness in children.
"In most people it just causes the common cold. It's just for some reason that this summer it's actually causing severe respiratory illness in young kids with underlying lung problems," said Dr. Mallika Marshall.
Watch: What Parents Need To Know
If your child has asthma, doctors say stock-up on their medicine and talk to their pediatrician about preventive drugs.
"A lot of people who get infected don't get any symptoms and most people who get infected get mild symptoms like cough, body aches and runny nose," said Dr. Mallika.
The preventive measures are common sense techniques like hand washing and covering your mouth while coughing.
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