Hospitals, doctors 'crazy' busy with virus sweeping suburbs
Suburban doctors offices and emergency rooms have been filled with people this week, particularly children, suffering from persistent coughs and wheezing likely from the respiratory virus known as enterovirus 68, or EV-D68.
Starting today, in an effort to keep the virus from spreading, no visitors under age 18 or people with colds or cold-like symptoms will be allowed to visit hospitalized patients at Edward Hospital, Elmhurst Memorial Hospital and Linden Oaks at Edward in Naperville.
“It's been crazy,” said Dr. Daniel Reaven, the assistant medical director of the emergency department at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights. “The average (pediatric) volume is about 25 a day. We're seeing close to 40.”
It hasn't been quite that busy at Downers Grove Pediatrics, but pediatrician Dr. Kerry Sheehan says she's seeing more patients with respiratory problems like coughs, congestion and chest tightness. While she can't confirm for sure it's EV-D68, she said it's a possible cause.
“Even though this virus does seem to be more active and intense than others, we're still treating it the same way as other viruses,” said Sheehan, who is affiliated with Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital.
So far, the virus has had no impact on suburban schools. No outbreaks, and normal absence levels, have been reported at Elgin Area District U-46, Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59, Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54, Naperville Unit District 203 and St. Charles District 303, to name a few.
In Palatine Township Elementary District 15, a notice was sent out to families warning them to be on alert for the virus. It included links to the Illinois and Cook County public health departments, plus preventive tips, such as washing hands and not sharing cups and utensils.
EV-D68 is a mild to severe respiratory illness, with symptoms that include fever, runny nose, sneezing, coughing and body aches. It's transmitted through close contact with an infected person, or touching things contaminated with the virus and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes.
Suburban doctors say EV-D68 is not something to fear, although those with asthma and heart conditions should be on high alert because it can create added breathing complications. The doctors also said wheezing, by any patient, should be a red flag and prompt people to immediately call their doctor.
There is no treatment for EV-D68. Antibiotics won't help and could even be harmful, Reaven said.
Those who contract the virus will most likely be advised to let it run its course, stay hydrated and control any fever with Tylenol or Motrin.
Reaven encouraged people who think they might have the virus to check with their doctor first, rather than go to the ER, where they could face long waits sitting with other sick people.
“Everyone's rushing their kids in and saying, 'Do my kids have this? Do my kids have this?'” Reaven said. “It's definitely not a reason to panic. This is a very common virus, just in a different type of mutated strain. These things occur every couple of years.”
• Staff Writers Jim Fuller, Madhu Krishnamurthy, Eric Peterson, Marie Wilson and Christopher Placek contributed to this report.
Enterovirus 68, or EV-D68, facts
<b>Virus</b>: Typically lasts about a week, and most children recover with no lasting problems. Children with asthma, however, may be more susceptible to serious illness.
<b>Difference from colds, allergies</b>: Any kind of breathing difficulties seem to be the main issue: breathing too quickly, too slowly, or otherwise struggling, experts say.
<b>Spreads</b>: The virus likely spreads similarly to the common cold, through sneezing or coughing or touching contaminated surfaces
<b>Prevention</b>: Washing hands, avoiding contact with people who are sick and refraining from going to work or day care while sick.