A virus that causes the common cold may have contributed to the death of a third-grade student from an East Baltimore elementary school over the Thanksgiving holiday, city health officials said.
The student at Dr. Bernard Harris Sr. Elementary had asthma, and his condition may have been made worse by the adenovirus, which can occasionally lead to serious illnesses among very young children or people with chronic conditions, according to letters the school and health department sent home to parents Monday.
The virus is spread through coughing, sneezing and touching common surfaces. Health experts said the virus is common and rarely leads to death.
“Deaths associated with adenovirus are very rare, especially in people who don’t have underlying problems like respiratory or heart problems or underlying immune problems,” said Dr. David Blythe, medical epidemiologist at the state health department.
The adenovirus is one of the viruses that causes the common cold, said Dr. Melissa Houston, medical director for youth and families and deputy chief medical officer at the city health department.
“For a healthy person, it causes common cold symptoms, sore throat, ear infection,” she said.
If a child has a particular health concern or underlying condition, parents should speak to a health care provider, Houston said.
Hand washing and regular cleaning of surfaces such as doorknobs help prevent spreading the virus, Blythe said.
Principal Loren McCaskill’s letter alerted parents that a student had died, and that a school psychologist and social worker would be available to grieving students.
The health department’s letter — referring to a student with “a serious illness that may have been complicated” by the virus — explained the virus and included ways to prevent contracting it.
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– Mike Silvestri and Sara Michael
