As health officials await test results that will confirm the exact number of cases that involve EV-D68, hospital emergency rooms continue to see a steady stream of children experiencing symptoms associated with the illness.

In an effort to contain the illness, several suburban hospitals are restricting visitors under the age of 18, or those of any age experiencing flu-like symptoms, according to hospital officials.

Though respiratory symptoms may be caused by a variety of viruses, health officials are carefully monitoring what seems to be a sudden increase in the EV-D68 strain. EV-D86 is one out of more than 100 enteroviruses, a group of infections causing a variety of symptoms that affect an estimated 15 million Americans annually.

Similar to other enteroviruses, the majority of EV-D68 cases cause mild, flu-like symptoms that typically resolve on their own. In some cases, however, patients experience difficulty breathing that requires immediate medical attention and treatment. Though the majority of EV-D68 cases involve children under the age of 18, it is possible for adults to contract the virus as well.

In recent weeks, 82 cases of the virus have been officially confirmed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of confirmed cases spans over six states, and includes 11 cases in Chicago.

According to health officials, the most effective way to prevent the spread of the disease is quite simple: practice good hygiene. This includes thoroughly wiping down surfaces with hot, soapy water, covering coughs and sneezes with one’s elbow, and proper hand washing. As the virus has mainly affected children, officials are encouraging parents and schools to discuss hygiene techniques with their children.

It appears that the spread of the virus shows no signs of slowing down. As such, hospital emergency rooms can possibly pose a threat due to the highly contagious nature of the virus, and may be dangerous until the virus can be contained. Therefore, urgent care centers are a viable option for treatment of non-life-threatening conditions.

Over the course of the last decade, urgent care centers have become one of the fastest growing segments in the American healthcare industry, and continue to bridge the gap between hospital emergency rooms and primary care physician offices. Nearly half (48%) of adult emergency room patients who were not sick enough to be admitted to the hospital sought treatment at an emergency room because their physicians’ offices were closed, according to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Urgent care centers continue to ease the burden on hospital emergency rooms and physician offices, while providing patients with affordable, convenient, and quality medical care.

After driving into the store, the male driver then fled on foot.

Junior A. Espinal, 32, has been charged with driving without a license, leaving the scene of an accident and failing to provide his information to the owner of the damaged property, according to the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office.

Using a description of the suspect, police searched the area and found Espinal. Espinal claimed that his car’s brake pedal stuck as he was driving up to the 7-Eleven.

No injuries were reported, police said.

There have also been no estimates on the amount of damage caused to either the car or store, or regarding what repairs will cost.

Photos from the scene show broken glass, some twisted metal, and scattered snacks knocked off racks. The back of the car looks virtually intact, but photos do not show the car’s front in order to estimate damage.

Automatic vehicles provide fewer options than manuals when accelerator and decelerator pedals become stuck. Additionally, drivers often panic when they do not receive an instantaneous response from pressing on their pedals.

Engine and transmission problems are among the most expensive types of auto repairs in the U.S.

Lombard, known as “The Lilac Village,” is a suburb located about 20 miles west of Chicago.