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MU Children's Hospital begins screening tests on children with respiratory infections

Women and Children's hospital
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The University of Missouri Children's Hospital has performed screening tests on children who they suspect may have Enterovirus 68.

"You take a child or an adult who has a fairly ordinary respiratory infection and you have to do a screening test for viruses that is a $750 test.  It isn’t done very commonly because it is usually just saved up for people who are really sick, where that is justifiable," said Michael Cooperstock who is the Director of MU's Infection Control Department.   

Cooperstock said they have probably admitted kids to the hospital who have the virus, but he doesn't know for sure.

Enterovirus 68 is hard to identify due to the fact that is has similar symptoms to the common cold.

"The main thing that's different is that there is a lot of it around," said Cooperstock, "So, there's just more illness caused by this virus. It's not that it's worse than any other similar cold virus or enterovirus that we see year in and year out, there is just a lot of it."  

Most enteroviruses peak in August and last until about the end of October, but Enterovirus 68 can come in large numbers and will hang around just a little longer. It is more of a prominent of a virus but it is not more dangerous than any other virus.

Cooperstock said this virus only causes the illness of the respiratory track, which is good compared to other enteroviruses. The worst of it can cause pneumonia.

The virus can be prevented if people with the disease cover their mouths when they cough or wash their hands after eating, he says. The virus is transmittable through close physical contact or through the air.

In Missouri, Kansas City hospitals have treated more than 500 children since the middle of August.

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