New virus has parents worried
HealthCARE Express recommends the community to keep an eye on symptoms of the EV-D68 Virus.
Back in the classroom, kids should be focusing on reading, writing and arithmetic, but a virus making the national rounds has children falling ill and parents worried sick. Providers with HealthCARE Express urge parents to be on the lookout for symptoms of this respiratory virus known as EV-D68 sweeping the nation.
The EV-D68 viral symptoms are sneaky — they mimic severe colds, allergies and asthma — and are hitting asthmatics especially hard. With the upcoming fall season bringing the common cold and allergies to the forefront, HealthCARE providers have created a Symptom Tracker that parents can use to determine whether their children have just caught a cold or if it’s something more severe.
| EV-D68 Virus | Cold | Allergies |
| Runny nose | Runny nose | Runny nose, sneezing |
| Sneezing | Sneezing | Itchy, watery eyes |
| Coughing | — | — |
| Wheezing | — | — |
| Fever | — | — |
| Body and muscle aches | — | — |
“This virus is a scary reality for parents across the nation right now,” said Dr. Reynolds managing partner for HealthCARE Express. “We are warning people to be on the lookout for symptoms that usually occur in colds or allergies, but just seem a little bit worse. Wheezing is a key symptom that shouldn’t be overlooked in the face of this virus.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, wheezing is the biggest indicator that children are suffering from the EV-D68 virus. Children under the age of 5 and those with asthma are at high risk for this particular virus. Children with asthma are particularly vulnerable, since the virus is attacking their already-compromised respiratory systems.
Since children with asthma are having a hard time with the EV-D68 virus, parents should be aware of viral symptoms, as well as signs of an asthma attack. We recommend that parents go over an asthma action plan with their children, including where inhalers are located, when to seek help and emergency contact information.
A few common tips to prevent this virus along with others viruses are:
- Wash hands with warm water and soap
- Cover your nose and mouth if you cough or sneeze
- Wipe down communal surfaces with antibacterial wipes
- Avoid those that are sick
Who is HealthCARE Express?
HealthCARE Express opened its first clinic in Texarkana Texas in 2006 and since then has grown into Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Jersey. The clinic provides urgent care, occupational medicine, DOT physicals, drug testing, and so much more.
They also offer online check-in for those who don’t like to wait in an ER. You can check them out at www.healthcareexpress.us or call at (903)791-9355.
