Background

Condition Lookup

Sub-Category:

Enteroviruses

Number of Conditions: 1

Enterovirus D68

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: Respiratory Viruses

Sub-category: Enteroviruses

Symptoms:
fever; cough; wheezing; shortness of breath; runny nose; muscle aches; acute flaccid myelitis (rare)

Root Cause:
Respiratory and occasionally neurological illness caused by Enterovirus D68, leading to inflammation in the respiratory tract or nervous system.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
PCR testing of nasopharyngeal swabs or throat samples; clinical correlation with respiratory symptoms and neurological signs in rare cases.

Treatment:
Supportive care, including oxygen therapy for respiratory distress; mechanical ventilation in severe cases.

Medications:
No specific antiviral medications; supportive care includes bronchodilators for wheezing and corticosteroids for severe inflammation.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Seasonal outbreaks, particularly in children, with periodic spikes globally.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Young age, asthma, or other chronic respiratory conditions; exposure to infected individuals in schools or daycare centers.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most cases resolve with supportive care; rare cases of acute flaccid myelitis may lead to long-term disability.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), respiratory failure, and secondary infections.