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Enterovirus

As with any illness, tell the child’s family if you are concerned about their health. Contact 911 or your local emergency system if you think a child may be having a medical emergency.

Enterovirus is a respiratory illness that can be mild or serious. Reports of enteroviruses are becoming very common. They cause 10 million to 15 million infections in the United States each year.

What are the symptoms of enterovirus?

Enteroviruses can cause mild to severe respiratory illness, especially in children:

  • Mild symptoms may include runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and body and muscle aches.
  • Severe symptoms may include wheezing and difficulty breathing.

How does enterovirus spread?

Exposure to the virus may be caused by:

  • Close contact with an infected person, such as touching or shaking hands
  • Changing diapers of an infected person
  • Drinking water that has the virus in it
  • Touching objects or surfaces that have the virus on them and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth before washing your hands

Pregnant women who are infected with enterovirus shortly before delivery can pass the virus on to their babies. Mothers who are breastfeeding should talk with their health care provider if they are sick or think they may have an infection.

Who is at risk?

Anyone can become infected with enteroviruses but infants, children, and teenagers are more likely to get infected and become sick. In the United States, people are more likely to get infected with enteroviruses in the summer and fall.

Most people who become infected with enteroviruses do not get sick, or they have mild symptoms similar to the common cold. Some people can develop more severe symptoms. Infants and people with weakened immune systems have a greater chance of having complications.

The virus is particularly hard on children’s lungs. It is especially important for families of children who have asthma to:

  • Help their child follow their asthma action plans.
  • Make sure their child takes their prescribed asthma medications as directed.
  • Make sure the child’s caregivers and teachers know about the child’s condition, how to avoid asthma triggers, and what to do if the child has any asthma symptoms.

No child should be exposed to secondhand smoke, but it is especially important to educate caregivers on prohibiting smoking in homes and cars where children with asthma live.

How can providers limit the spread of enterovirus?

Many people infected with enterovirus do not have symptoms, so it is difficult to prevent the viruses from spreading. Good hygiene and proper infection control are the best defense. It is best to:

  • Make sure all children and adults wash their hands often with liquid soap and water, especially after using the toilet and changing diapers.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick, such as touching and shaking hands.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
  • Stay home when sick.

Please see the Caring for Our Children Online Standards Database:

As always, follow regular infection control practices to help keep everyone healthy:

  • Minimize exposure to illness.
    • Encourage children and adults to stay home when they’re sick.
    • Do daily health checks when children arrive.
    • Watch children for signs of illness. Contact their parent or guardian if a child is too sick to stay. Early identification and treatment can help make the symptoms less severe and decrease the risk of spreading the disease to others.
  • Limit germs in the environment.
    • Wash hands with soap and water often throughout the day.
    • Do not let children share mouthed toys, cups, or utensils.
    • Regularly clean, sanitize, and disinfect surfaces and toys.
    • Teach people to cover their coughs and sneezes.
    • Throw away used tissues.
    • Let fresh air indoors.
    • Spend time outdoors.
  • Follow, review, and update exclusion policies. Exclude children if they:
    • Are too sick to take part in program activities.
    • Need more care than staff can give them without affecting the health and safety of other children.
    • Show any other signs or symptoms in your “stay home when sick” policy.
  • Use your program’s health experts, including your Health and Mental Health Services Advisory Committee or child care health consultant, to stay up to date and to develop policies and procedures to prevent the spread of illness.
  • Staff absences may be the biggest challenge for most Head Start programs. Absences may be from staff illness or fear of exposure to enteroviruses at work. Programs should review their emergency plans and staff availability to make sure they have adequate coverage.
  • No vaccine protects people from enterovirus infection. But programs should help parents and caregivers keep children up to date on their state’s Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment schedule.

How can providers partner with families?

Here are some ways programs can partner with families:

« Go to Infectious Disease Fact Sheets

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