By Douglas H. Stutz, Naval Hospital Bremerton Public Affairs
BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- Along with the annual influenza
season just a sneeze away, Naval Hospital Bremerton population health officials
are also closely tracking a severe respiratory illness with several cases
confirmed locally.
There are an estimated 15 children from various locales in
Washington currently being treated and tested at Seattle's Children Hospital
and as of Sept. 19, there have been two confirmed cases of the respiratory
illness, enterovirus 68 (EV-D68), that has also affected hundreds across the
Midwest.
Along with testing the Washington cases, Center for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to gather information to better
understand the quickly evolving situation of EV-D68 and how widespread the
infections may be and the population affected.
According to the CDC, the virus likely spreads from person
to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes or touches surfaces. People
can also get infected by having close contact with an infected person, as well
as also getting infected by touching objects or surfaces that have the virus on
them and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.
Most people who get infected do not get sick. Or, they may
have mild illness, like the common cold. Just as influenza is not the common
cold, enteroviruses is a respiratory illness that can initially feel like a bad
cold. And like influenza, enteroviruses can be severe enough to hospitalize
some of those impacted, especially younger children who already have a
respiratory condition like asthma.
The first lines of defense involves simple processes that
everyone can implement to not only help themselves, but also family members,
co-workers, friends and even strangers.
"Past experience with dealing with the any type of
respiratory illness and/or viral infection always reinforces the need to
protect ourselves," said Tom Shirk, NHB Infection Control coordinator, who
strongly recommends that proper personal hygiene is imperative to help limit
getting any virus. "It's important and it's up to us to set the example
and ensure our family and friends do the same. Little things, such as hand
washing, covering a cough and staying home if ill, really helps out."
Shirk also attests there are also multiple steps that can be
done daily to mitigate the potential spread of such a respiratory illness.
"Besides hand washing with soap and water, we encourage
everyone who visits our main facility or any branch clinics to use our
alcohol-based hand sanitizers. They are phenomenally effective in eliminating
the transfer of a virus. We have increased the number of dispensers in NHB so
anyone entering and leaving, or waiting by the elevators can use them,"
commented Shirk, citing that hand-washing is a basic step that everyone should
continually practice.
"Practicing good hygiene to keep hands clean by washing
thoroughly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is just
good sound common sense. It is a very simple and effective measure,"
stated Shirk.
According to Dr. Dan Frederick, NHB Population Health
officer, enteroviruses are very common viruses. There are more than 100 types
of enteroviruses and it is estimated that 10 to 15 million enterovirus
infections occur in the United States each year.
"This type of viral infection has really been around
for a long time and we have been in contact with others such as Kitsap Public
Health and the Washington State Public Health office also concerning this
development. Most enterovirus infections in the U.S. occur seasonally during
the summer and fall, and outbreaks tend to occur in several-year cycles,"
said Frederick.
Seattle and King County Public Health notes that if EV-D68
does appear locally, large numbers of children could develop respiratory
infections in a short time period, as the virus spreads much like the common
cold.
With most enterovirus infections, the vast majority of
children have a mild illness that does not require medical attention. However,
parents of children with asthma should be aware that their children appear to
be more susceptible to serious illness.
Frederick sites that the groups most susceptible to EV-D68
are infants, children and teenagers.
Most infected people have no symptoms or only mild symptoms,
but some infections can be serious. EV-D68 has been reported to cause mild to
severe respiratory illness, especially in those already with some type of
respiratory issues such as asthma or lung disease.
What can people do to protect themselves against Enterovirus
D68?
Although there are no vaccines for preventing EV-D68
infections, Naval Hospital Bremerton follows CDC recommendations to:
*Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds,
especially after changing diapers
*Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
*Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils
with people who are sick
*Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and
doorknobs, especially when someone is sick.
*Don't go to day care, school or work - stay home if feeling
sick and consult with your health care provider.
*Children and adults with asthma should be sure to have
their asthma symptoms under control and see a health care provider if they
develop a respiratory infection and their asthma worsens.
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