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Children鈥檚 hospitals in parts of the U.S. are seeing a surge in a common respiratory illness that can cause severe breathing problems for babies.

RSV cases fell dramatically two years ago as the pandemic shut down schools, day cares and businesses. With restrictions easing in the summer of 2021, doctors saw in what is normally a fall and winter virus.

Now, it鈥檚 back again. And doctors are bracing for the possibility that RSV, and could combine to stress hospitals.

鈥淚鈥檓 calling it an emergency,鈥� said Dr. Juan Salazar of Connecticut Children鈥檚 Hospital, where RSV has caused a shuffling of patients into playrooms and other spaces not normally used for beds. The institution explored using a National Guard field hospital, but has set aside that option for now.

A look at RSV and what the recent surge may mean:

What is RSV?

It stands for respiratory syncytial virus, a common cause of mild cold-like symptoms such as runny nose, cough and fever. Nearly all U.S. children normally catch an RSV infection by age 2.

People infected are usually contagious for three to eight days. Babies and people with weakened immune systems can spread RSV for up to four weeks. There is no vaccine for it, though several candidates are in testing.

Everyone can get RSV. But it causes the most threat to infants, older adults and other vulnerable people, who can get serious airway and lung infections.

Among U.S. kids under age 5, RSV 58,000 hospitalizations and up to 500 deaths in a year.

For adults 65 and older, RSV causes 177,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths yearly.

For babies, the struggle to breathe can interfere with eating. 鈥淎nd that鈥檚 really when we start to worry,鈥� said Dr. Melanie Kitagawa of Texas Children鈥檚 Hospital in Houston, where more than 40 children have RSV.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e breathing fast, breathing deep. We see them using muscles in their chest to help them breathe,鈥� Kitagawa said. 鈥淭hese are kids who are having difficulty taking a bottle because their breathing is being impacted and they can鈥檛 coordinate both at once.鈥�

Why is there an increase?

The virus is encountering a highly vulnerable population of babies and children who were sheltered from common bugs during the pandemic lockdowns.

Immune systems might not be as prepared to fight the virus after more than two years of masking, which offered protection, according to Dr. Elizabeth Mack of Medical University of South Carolina.

鈥淪outh Carolina is drowning in RSV,鈥� Mack said in a news release. The surge arrived earlier this year than normal, she said.

For babies, their mothers may not have been infected with RSV during pregnancy, which could have given the children some immunity.

U.S. health officials have noted a rise this month in national reports of respiratory illnesses, which they say is at least partly due to the early spread of flu in much of the South.

Last week, more than 7,000 tests came back positive for RSV, . That鈥檚 more than in previous surges.

Is there a treatment?

There鈥檚 no specific treatment, so it鈥檚 a matter of managing symptoms and letting the virus run its course. Doctors may prescribe oral steroids or an inhaler to make breathing easier.

In serious cases, patients in the hospital may get oxygen, a breathing tube or a ventilator.

What do doctors recommend?

Prevent the spread of viruses by washing hands thoroughly and staying home when you鈥檙e sick.

During RSV season, an injection of an antibody-based medicine is sometimes prescribed to protect premature infants and other very vulnerable babies.

If you鈥檙e worried your child is having a severe breathing problem, 鈥渄o not hesitate鈥� to go to an emergency department or call 911, said Dr. Russell Migita of Seattle Children鈥檚 Hospital, where RSV is on the rise.

For less severe medical problems, Migita said, call your regular health care provider for advice, use telehealth or go to urgent care.

In Chicago on Saturday, Dr. Juanita Mora saw a family of five kids all with RSV, ranging from a 3-year-old to a teenager. Fearing what鈥檚 ahead this winter, she鈥檚 telling everyone to get a flu shot and a COVID-19 booster.

鈥淲e don鈥檛 want a triple whammy, a triple pandemic,鈥� Mora said.

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