ATLANTA – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning parents to monitor symptoms if their children become sick with what they believe to be the flu or a cold.
According to the CDC, the illness could actually be Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), cases of which have increased in the U.S. and could lead to bronchitis and pneumonia in children under the age of 1.
Wolfson Children's Hospital said doctors have seen an increase in the number of children with RSV during winter. Dr. Moben Rathore, the chief of infectious disease and immunology, said the virus is common and needs to be taken seriously.
"The reason it's much worse in children, especially infants, is they have narrow breathing tubes, so they don’t have as much of a safety cushion," Rathore said.
According to Rathore, parents should call a doctor if symptoms worsen in the their child, and if they have difficulty breathing or are breathing rapidly. He said parents shouldn't hesitate to go to the emergency room if necessary.
The virus is spread through coughing and sneezing and then touching eyes, the nose or mouth. Rathore said practicing good hygiene is the best way to keep children healthy.