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A dangerous respiratory virus has hit Southern Colorado. It’s affecting hundreds of children in our state. 11 News has confirmed Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs is treating patients with the illness right now.
9-year-old Gabrielle Maiorana looks like your typical 5th grader. She is full of energy as she plays with her favorite stuffed animal. But just days ago she was in a hospital bed, hooked up to an IV and oxygen.
“To me it was scary,” explained Gabrielle.
“She went from a cold to critical in just a short time. It really was scary,” her mother, Karen Maiorana said.
Karen says at first it seemed like Gabby just had a cold, but within hours it got serious. She was rushed into the ICU at Memorial Hospital. Doctors told her she was infected with Enterovirus 68. The virus settles in your lungs. Little Gabby had to be quarantined and could no longer breath on her own.
“You’re watching your child suffer, just trying to get air,” said her father, Chris.
Dr. Jodie Hamer is a primary care physician associated with Memorial Hospital. She says this virus has been around for awhile, but this fall the strain seems to be much worse.
“This year it’s particularly prevalent, it’s contagious and really severe,” explained Dr. Hamer.
Hamer says be on the lookout for respiratory symptoms. If your child is not breathing well or wheezing, bring them into the doctor right away.
The Maiorana’s are also urging every parent to be vigilant about looking for those symptoms.
“You look at that and say, God if I would have let this go any longer, how low could’ve that gone? I’m glad to be bringing my daughter home because I fear that’s how bad it could’ve gotten,” said Karen.
Gabby will be out of school for at least the next month. Doctors say kids with asthma, like Gabby, are especially susceptible to this virus.
At this point Memorial Hospital could not give us the exact number of cases they have seen of the virus so far this year. The virus is contagious and adults can catch it as well. Doctors say because it is a virus, antibiotics will not work. The best way to avoid this is by thoroughly washing your hands.
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