Cases of Respiratory Illnesses High Among Children
7News.com
Hospitals across the metro area are reporting an increase in cases of childhood respiratory illnesses. In fact, pediatric units at some hospitals are completely full. "Currently the ER is seeing about 200 kids a day on average," said Dr. Erika Sidney at Children's Hospital Colorado.
Most of the cases being identified are respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a viral infection that causes inflammation of the airways. They’re also seeing cases of pediatric pneumonia, a bacterial infection. Both illnesses can make it difficult to breathe. According to doctors, children 2-years-old and younger are most at risk.
"The younger the kid, the smaller the kid, the smaller the airways and the harder work they have to do to get the air through," said Sidney.
It is expected that for the next month the number of cases will rise before they start to decline. According to physicians, the best prevention for these illnesses is good hand hygiene and constant hydration.
Read more about childhood respiratory illnesses.
