New Respiratory Illness Affects Colorado School Children

If your school aged child is coughing and having trouble breathing, they're not alone. There's a new respiratory illness affecting kids in 10 states, including Colorado. And it's serious.

The virus is believed to be related to the enterovirus 68 which is related to the rhinovirus, better known as the cause of the common cold. And this virus is nasty.

Doctors and parents are saying it starts off similar to having cold-like symptoms and changes rapidly to debilitating respiratory problems.

In other words, if your child has asthma, it can be serious and fatal.

Because viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics, doctors say prevention is the best cure, wash your hands, avoid anyone who is sick and get the flu vaccination as soon as you can.

If your child is experiencing any cold or flu like symptoms, call your doctor or 911 in the case of an emergency situation.

[The Denver Channel]