The CDC and physicians are warning parents of a respiratory viral infection that mimics the common cold, according to NBC News.
Respiratory syncytial virus most commonly infects children and adults with a range of cold-like symptoms.
East Tennessee Children's Hospital in Knoxville has reported more than 380 positive tests for RSV, which started rising in November.
"With RSV, it really starts by looking like cold like symptoms," said Mary Coleman, RN, assistant nurse manager at Knoxville-based East Tennessee Children's Hospital. "If you notice that they start breathing much faster than normal, if they seem like they're choking, anything like that ... if they start to look like they're dehydrated ... all those reasons are reasons that you should bring them in."
The CDC indicated about 1 to 2 percent of children under 6 months may need hospitalization if they contract RSV. It also said parents of children at high risk of severe complications from RSV should avoid close contact with sick people and limit children's time in child care centers.
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