If you haven’t already heard of EV-D68, you should watch out. This respiratory virus has symptoms similar to the common cold, but has sent many kids and teens to the hospital. Some symptoms are coughing, a fever, being cold, breathing trouble/wheezing and sometimes rashes. This virus doesn’t have a vaccine. According to The Guardian, adults aren’t as likely to get infected.

There are some simple things that can help prevent getting infected. Wash your hands and clean surfaces that lots of people touch. Don’t kiss, hug, shake hands or share drinks with someone who might be infected. The Harding staff is taking precautions similar to what they would do for flu season. Assistant Principal Candice Salters advises students to go to a doctor and stay home from school if they don’t feel well.

If you do get sick, just treat it like a cold. There isn’t much you can do because your immune system has to make you healthy again.

Symptoms of the virus has been found in Colorado, Ohio, Missouri, Georgia, Kansas, Iowa and Oklahoma.

There are plenty of enteroviruses, but this one puts lives in danger. According to CNN, “The virus has sent more than 30 children a day to a Kansas City, Missouri hospital.” The virus has been around for a few decades now, but it’s difficult for doctors to identify.

Though it’s painful and scary, especially if you have asthma, enteroviruses don’t usually kill people. Children have started recovering after contracting the virus.

Be careful. Be clean. And maybe fist bump instead of high fiving.