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Since August, the problem that has diverted parents focus towards their child health, is the epidemic of respiratory illness. The respiratory disease that has made infants and children its victims is caused by a rare strain of Enterovirus. The disease affects the airway and mimics common cold, later on difficulty in breathing occurs that worsens with time.
As told by Health officials, cases of this respiratory illness are reported from more than half of the U.S. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) further reported that till this Monday, 175 patients from 27 states have been diagnosed with this disease since mid of August. The organism causing the disease is Enterovirus D-68. The CDC expects more cases to be reported in the near future, after a huge number of patients are investigated for positive results for the virus.
The state health department in North Carolina confirmed admitted cases in their state, giving an account of the disease spreading to approximately 28 states. Moreover, the health department told that six children of age ten and under are tested positive for Enterovirus D-68.
The CDC officials also informed that the virus is more common in the season of summer and fall, being the reason for major out surge in the month of August. Missouri and Illinois, the first in the list to be hit by the illness showed that majority of children contracting the disease had a previous history of wheezing or asthma. Overall the disease is predominately seen in young individuals.
Nevertheless, the disease is not life threatening, however, the admissions are frequently due to worsening respiratory conditions .There lies no specific treatment for the disease. The management exists for sneezing, coughing and breathing difficulties. Also, the disease is highly communicable, therefore the only way to stop its spread is through hand washing. This has forced health officials to promote awareness of frequent hand washing through the U.S.
Rebecca McGhee
Rebecca McGhee is a valuable contributor for several publications and online platforms. Having graduates with a degree in Computer Science, her interest lies mostly in this area. Yet, she finds any tech-related topic or scientific topic is a challenge worth meeting. She enjoys turning her own research projects in worthy contributions that reach the large public. And mostly, she is grateful for all the feedback she receives from readers, as she believes it aids her in permanently improving her style of writing, beyond the scientific style she is accustomed to.
