NORTHAMPTON — While at least three hospitals in Massachusetts, including Baystate Children’s Hospital in Springfield, have reported treating children with a viral respiratory illness that has spread throughout the country, Cooley Dickinson Hospital said the virus has not been confirmed in any of its young patients.
At Baystate Children’s Hospital, eight patients who were confirmed Friday to be infected with enterovirus D68 have been treated and sent home to recover, Baystate Health spokesman Keith O’Connor said. The hospital announced Friday that the Centers for Disease Control had confirmed that the specimens tested positive.
While there are more than 100 different types of enteroviruses, the D68 strain is getting the most attention now because many hospitals across the country have seen more children than usual with severe respiratory illnesses associated with it. The virus primarily affects the airways, causing wheezing, increased difficulty breathing and the need for more oxygen. Children and teenagers are more likely to be infected because they have not yet built up immunity to the virus. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
O’Connor said the hospital will not confirm any additional cases based on the state Department of Public Health’s position that once the virus has been detected in a community it is not necessary to continue testing.
Cooley Dickinson has not logged an uptick in the number of patients seen for respiratory problems in the last several weeks, spokeswoman Christina Trinchero said. She added that the hospital’s infection prevention manager has spoken with local public health nurses who are not reporting an increase of children with respiratory problems.
“According to those public health nurses, there is a normal level of school absences for this time of year,” Trinchero said.
One sample from the hospital sent last week for testing was negative. Trinchero said the hospital has distributed information to area physicians and hospital staff about the D68 virus and has reviewed its infectious patients policy in relation to pediatric admissions. She said the hospital is prepared to handle patients who may show up at its emergency room with the virus.
The state Department of Public Health announced a week ago the first confirmed case in southeastern Massachusetts. Both Boston Children’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital have reported treating suspected cases of the virus.
The confirmation at Baystate came as no surprise to hospital officials who assumed, based on the DPH announcement, that the virus was in the local community, said Dr. Michael Klatte, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Baystate Children’s Hospital.
Klatte said the virus is most likely active in communities throughout the Valley, including Northampton, even though it has not been confirmed in the city. “I think it’s safe to assume that it’s out there and circulating,” he said.
He added, however, that enterovirus season will wind down at the end of October. The viruses typically become active in late spring.
Klatte said Baystate Children’s Hospital aggressively treated its patients as if they had the strain and will continue the same treatment throughout the duration of the virus, which is why he said people should not panic that it exists here.
“This is not something that should be a cause for alarm or concern for parents,” said Klatte, adding that parents of children with asthma or other respiratory problems should keep a closer eye on their children right now.
In an effort to protect its most vulnerable patients against the spread of the virus, Baystate Health has adopted a temporary policy requiring anyone visiting a child or new mother in its hospitals to be at least 14. The temporary policy applies to Baystate Medical Center and Baystate Children’s Hospital in Springfield, Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware, and Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer.
Cooley Dickinson has not changed its visiting guidelines, Trinchero said.
“We’ll continue to keep a close eye on the children who are admitted through the Emergency Department and if those numbers increase, we will review the visiting guidelines,” she said.
There is no vaccine or antiviral medication for the virus, though there are other treatments that can alleviate symptoms. The virus is spread through coughing and sneezing, and is said to generally run its course without requiring hospitalization for most people.
Earlier this month, Baystate Children’s reported a sharp increase in patients seen for respiratory problems over the same period a year ago. Those patients had milder symptoms compared to other parts of the country. In the Boston area, for example, several hundred children have been treated, with some requiring breathing support from mechanical ventilators.
Medical experts encourage people to protect themselves from the virus by:
∎ washing hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after coming in contact with respiratory secretions or when changing diapers;
∎ avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
∎ avoiding kissing, hugging and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick;
∎ cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
Chad Cain can be reached at ccain@gazettenet.com.
Source: Top Stories - Google News - http://ift.tt/YJ7GtB
0 comments:
Post a Comment