School is back in session for children across the country and with the beginning of the school year comes a respiratory illness that has affected children in ten states and sent hundreds to the hospital. The most likely cause is a virus, enterovirus 68, similar to that of the common cold. This is part of the enterovirus family which causes about ten million illnesses, mostly in children, each year.
Symptoms include runny nose, coughing and wheezing which last for about a week. According to Mark Pallansch, director of the viral diseases division at the CDC, This summer s cases are unusually severe and include serious breathing problems. He also adds that children with asthma are especially at risk.
The virus has affected children ranging in age from six weeks to sixteen years and may be spread through sneezing. Dr. Rachel Wolfson, an intensive care unit physician urges people to wash their hands and keep hands away from the face in order to stop the spread of this illness.
Individuals across the country are coming up with theories to explain the emergence of this strain of virus, which according to the CDC has not been seen since the 1960s. Some are suggesting that it was brought in by illegal immigrants. According to Dr. Richard Besser, ABC News Chief Health and Medical Editor, Viruses don't tend to respect borders, although he was referring to state borders with this quote.
However, the most harmful nonsense we ve seen comes from Internet huckster Mike Adams, the subject of Dr. Josh Bloom s latest piece on Science 2.0. His September 9th article, entitled "Mystery virus EV-D68 exploding among vaccinated children; U.S. medical system clueless without a vaccine," falsely implies while not exactly saying so that somehow routine children s vaccinations were in some way responsible for the epidemic. They are not.
And what does Adams suggest instead to protect children from deadly infections? Well, go to his website and search the term immune and you ll find the "super food" 100% Organic Goji Berries Health Ranger Select. Unfortunately, this fine item is out of stock. But fear not. Chaga Extract Tincture a real steal at $34.97 (plus shipping) for a one ounce bottle is available.
However, Dr. Bloom goes on, While there is obviously a humorous element to this, it really isn't funny. Vaccines not garbage in a bottle have essentially wiped out the most deadly infections that have ever plagued humanity. Infections that used to kill and maim millions of people.
You can read Dr. Bloom s Science 2.0 response, Epidemics: A Sleaze-Bag Payday? here. You may enjoy it. It is unlikely that Adams will.
And as a parent, if you re wondering what you should be doing besides making sure your children are up to date with routine childhood vaccinations, ACSH s Ariel Savransky had this to say, In addition to alerting parents and caregivers about the spread of this illness and urging them to pay careful attention to children should they develop cold-like symptoms and difficulty breathing, I would also urge parents to make sure that they and their children receive the flu vaccine, as flu season is upon us. The flu vaccine has the potential to avert hospitalizations and deaths as a result of the virus and it is one of the most important, simple and safe steps a person can take to stay healthy.
