Enterovirus D68 is a virus most commonly developed in young babies, children, and sometimes teenagers. Those who have a weaker immune system are more likely to contract the disease and suffer from risky complications. When you have Enterovirus D68, you’ll probably just feel like you have a common cold. But if the virus becomes more severe, you could experience wheezing or have difficulty breathing. Although the Enterovirus D68 most often clears up on its own in about a week, more severe cases cause hospitalization.
The virus has been around for a number of years. In fact, medical experts first came across it in 1962. Until recent years, it had only affected a small portion of the population each year. But, in 2014, a Enterovirus D68 outbreak was reported by the Centers for Disease Control. Since the virus has the potential to be dangerous, it’s important to keep an eye out for the symptoms, which include runny nose, a fever, cough, as well as aches and pains. In more severe cases, symptoms may include wheezing and difficulty breathing. There is no special medication to treat Enterovirus D68 as it is caused by bacterial. Read on for more details about the symptoms of Enterovirus D68 and how to alleviate them.
1. Body and Muscle Aches
Since Enterovirus D68 is sometimes accompanied with a fever, and due to the fact that your body will be trying to fight off the virus as best it can, you are likely to experience muscle aches and pains. Although they are not a severe symptom, aches and pains can be very uncomfortable. In some cases, the pain can be unbearable. You can try to minimize the pain by taking over the counter pain medicine, such as Advil or Tylenol. You can also try to ease your pain by taking a hot bath or using a heating pad.
Also, be sure to get plenty of sleep if you’re experiencing symptoms of Enterovirus D68, as this should help you regain your strength and help ensure your muscles start to feel better. You should also be sure to avoid exerting yourself if possible. Too much activity could make your muscles feel worse. If the pain becomes too severe and seems to last for an extended period of time, be sure to consult with your doctor to ensure that your body is fighting off the virus on its own. If it isn’t and your symptoms get worse, you may require a more advanced form of treatment.
2. Cough
Symptoms of Enterovirus D68 can be very similar to those of a cold. Therefore, a cough is a common symptom of the virus. You can try to ease the symptoms with over the counter medications, such as cough medicine or drops. Be sure to keep hydrated to ensure that your throat is not dry and that you are keeping hydrated in order to help your body fight off the virus. In some cases of Enterovirus D68, coughing can become so bad that it leads to hospitalization. If your cough becomes increasingly worse and does not appear to improve, be sure to consult with your doctor.
3. Difficulty Breathing
In some bad cases of Enterovirus D68, the symptoms can become so bad that those who are infected have trouble breathing. Having difficulty breathing can be a scary thing, and in this case, you should take it seriously. This symptom is cause for concern, and doctors say that if you believe you have Enterovirus D68 and are having trouble breathing, you should go to the hospital immediately. To avoid this symptom, be sure to take steps to keep your nasal passages clear. This will hopefully help alleviate any congestion you may have as a result of the virus and prevent any difficulty breathing.
4. Fever
As is common in more severe forms of the common cold, a fever can develop when you have Enterovirus D68. Because your body is fighting off a virus, it’s not surprising that you may develop a fever. You can take over the counter medicine, such as ibuprofen, to break your fever. Or you can try taking a warm bath or wrapping up in warm blankets to break it. You can also just let it break on its own. You should only be concerned if the fever doesn’t break or it continues to come back. If this happens, you’ll want to seek medical attention.
5. Runny Nose
Enterovirus D68 is very similar to a cold, so it’s no surprise that one of its symptoms is a runny nose. The virus affects the upper respiratory system, so snot is bound to be present. To help with this symptom, you can try taking over the counter nasal decongestants. It’s also wise to keep tissues handy to ensure you’re getting rid of the drainage regularly. If you’re experiencing a lot of drainage, and it leads to difficulty breathing, you will need to seek medical attention. This only happens in rare, more severe cases of the virus.
6. Sneezing
When your nasal passages are congested, as often happens when you have a cold, you’re probably going to sneeze more than normal. Sneezing is a symptom that can’t really be alleviated by over the counter medicine or home remedies. All you can do is try to keep your nasal passages clear to avoid any sneezing triggers. To avoid contaminating others, be sure to cover your nose and mouth when you feel a sneeze coming. This will insure Enterovirus D68 is not spread to those with weaker immune systems, who tend to be prone to more severe cases of the virus.
7. Wheezing
Symptoms such as coughing and congestion can lead to wheezing and trouble breathing. If you’re coughing uncontrollably and notice you are making a wheezing sound, you should be on alert. Wheezing when coughing can also be a symptom of bronchitis, but is typically only found in severe cases of Enterovirus D68. Try to ensure that your cough doesn’t progress to the point of wheezing by treating it with over the counter medication that will help break up the mucus. If you do develop wheezing and it begins to get worse over time, be sure to consult with your doctor as it can lead to additional complications later on if not treated.
