DOCTORS RAISE CONCERN ON INCREASING CASES OF SUMMER ENTEROVIRUS; KNOW WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF
Even as the heat wave is in its full swing and temperatures are constantly rising, more people, especially children and adolescents, are falling sick, worrying the doctors.
According to experts - a group of viruses known as enteroviruses, which includes enterovirus D68, cause about 10-15 million infections each year.
Colloquially known as the "summer flu", doctors say it has many strains, each potentially inducing a spectrum of symptoms and complications. “Typically, infants, children, and adolescents are more susceptible to infection and subsequent illness due to their underdeveloped immune systems, lacking the robust defenses acquired through previous exposures,” Dr. Divya Gopal, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Sir H N Reliance Hospital and Research Centre, told Times Now.
Related News |However, Dr. Gopal said enteroviruses can afflict individuals of any age, albeit with varying severity and frequency of symptoms.
Signs and symptoms of enterovirus
According to Dr. Gopal, the manifestations of enteroviral infections encompass a wide array of symptoms, ranging from: Related News |- Mild afflictions like fever
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Severe Coughing
- Viral conjunctivitis
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
“Cardiac complications like myocarditis and pericarditis, as well as neurological sequelae like acute flaccid paralysis and inflammatory muscle disease, may ensue in severe cases, posing significant challenges to recovery and necessitating extensive medical intervention,” Dr. Gopal added.
How does the virus spread?
According to experts, enterovirus is spread by the respiratory route when in contact with an infected person.You can also become infected by touching objects or surfaces that have the virus on them and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
While most people affected by enteroviruses experience a self-limiting illness that resolves within a week to ten days, certain populations are at an elevated risk of developing complications. Those with compromised immune systems, respiratory conditions like asthma, or other chronic illnesses may encounter more severe and protracted illness trajectories, necessitating vigilant monitoring and medical support.
Furthermore, the duration and severity of illness can be influenced by individual factors such as overall health status, genetic predisposition, and environmental exposures.
Ways to reduce the infection
- Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds
- Avoid touching your touching, eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- If you have any of the symptoms, make sure to wear a mask in public
- Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick
- Make sure to disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick
- Stay home when sick