Enterovirus Concerns Continue in Mass.

Rare virus is causing breathing problems for kids nationwide, with case found in Conn.

The Enterovirus D-68 is causing breathing problems for kids across the country, with a case found in Connecticut.

It may have already spread to children in Massachusetts.

"If the child is breathing very hard, gasping, if the parents are able to look at the breathing muscles above the clavicle or in between the ribs, and if the muscles are working extra hard, that's a patient that should be brought to the Emergency Department," said Dr. Michael Agus of Boston Children's Hospital.

Agus says more than 150 children have already come to the hospital with similar symptoms. The three most severe cases used ventilators to help with breathing.

"It's really the minority of patients that will get this virus that are going to become extremely ill," said Agus.

Doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital have seen 12 kids come in with Enterovirus symptons. The possibility of the virus prompted both hospitals to seek tests from the Centers for Disease Control.

"The good news is as we've been treating children, they have been turning around," said Dr. Paul Biddenger from Massachusetts General. "We will get through this like we get through other respiratory illness outbreaks."

Both the hospitals are waiting for test results to come back. It could take up to five to 10 business days for the CDC to get back with results.

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