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T HE S C HO O L N URS E B U LLE TI N
OCTOBER 2014
Stephanie G. Knutson, MSN, RN, Education Consultant for School Nursing
Overview of Non-polio enteroviruses
Non-polio enteroviruses are very common viruses. They cause about 10 to 15 million infections in
the United States each year. Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is one of many non-polio enteroviruses.
Anyone can get infected with non-polio enteroviruses. But infants, children, and teenagers are more
likely to get infected and become sick. That's because they do not yet have immunity (protection)
from previous exposures to the viruses.
Most people who get infected with non-polio enteroviruses do not get sick. Or, they may have mild
illness, like the common cold. However, in rare instances, some people can get sick and have serious
complications. Similar to the common flu, infants and people with weakened immune systems may be
more susceptible to experience such complications. Good hygiene practices should be exercised to
prevent the spread of germs to these vulnerable populations.
You can get infected with non- H
polio enteroviruses by having close
contact with an infected person. A
You can also get infected by P
touching objects or surfaces that
P
have the virus on them then
touching your mouth, nose, or Y
eyes. O
There is no specific treatment for C
non-polio enterovirus infection. T
People with mild illness caused by
O
non-polio enterovirus infection
typically only need symptom treat- B
ment. They usually recover com- E
pletely. However, some illnesses
caused by non-polio enteroviruses R
can be severe enough to require
hospitalization.
In the United States, people are
more likely to get infected with
non-polio enteroviruses in the
summer and fall.
For additional information on non-
polio enteroviruses, visit the Cen-
ters for Disease Control and Pre-
vention Web site at http://
www.cdc.gov/non-polio-
enterovirus/about/ev-d68.html.
THE SCHOOL NURSE BULLETIN
October 2014