pediatric housecalls Robert R. Jarrett M.D. M.B.A. FAAP

Enterovirus D68: Polio Paralysis For The Millennials

Polio, the scourge of parents of the last generation – largely eradicated by vaccines. Enterovirus D68, becoming a scourge of the new millennium causing paralysis in children following a respiratory illness.


This generation of parents doesn’t have an understanding of the magnitude of impact the disease Polio caused on families in the last few centuries so is ill prepared for a new virus which has been creeping into the country causing paralysis in children. Enterovirus D68 as is it now known causes an upper respiratory infection, just as Polio did; but then, also just like polio, for some reason goes on to attack the nervous system in children causing paralysis.

There is, as yet, no known cure or prevention for contracting the disease – short of all the ‘hygiene’ methods we use to avoid getting a cold or diarrhea.