Mystery virus sickens 1,000 kids in 10 states

A rare respiratory virus has sent at least one thousand children to hospitals in ten states over the past three weeks. So far, there are no reported cases in our area, but experts believe that will change.

The CDC believes it's the enterovirus 68. It starts like the common cold but can quickly get worse.

Parents should not panic. But they should be aware of this virus.

Doctor Anat Feingold is a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Cooper University Hospital. She says the respiratory virus wreaking havoc for hundreds of kids in at least ten states will likely spread to our region as well.

Younger kids and kids with asthma are especially at risk

Gabriel Maiorana of Colorado spent days in the hospital hooked up to oxygen. Doctors say she was infected with enterovirus 68.

Her mother says it started as a cold and quickly got worse.

Doctor Feingold says the key for parents is to pay close attention. Colds are common but watch for symptoms out of the ordinary.

"Certainly, if there is something about the child's presentation that makes the family concerned this is different, or any respiratory distress, new wheezing, anything out of the ordinary, seek medical attention," Dr. Feingold said.

She says the sooner the better.

Many cases of enterovirus 68 are mild, but some are more severe, like Gabriel's. She is now recovering. Doctor Feingold says most kids do.

"Most kids do well and even kids in the hospital situation, the majority do very well," Feingold said.

As for prevention, it's the same things we do to prevent any kind of cold: frequent hand washing; sneeze or cough into your elbow; stay away from others who are sick; and get a flu vaccine.

The vaccine will not prevent this virus but it will give you one less virus to worry about.