By Lori Ehde
If the Influenza A outbreak weren't enough, local babies are also at risk of a local outbreak of RSV, the respiratory virus that often sends infants to the hospital.
Respiratory Synctial Virus presents itself like a cold, but causes breathing difficulties.
Symptoms of RSV can include fever, but Dr. Diane Kennedy said the illness is characterized by a cold accompanied by wheezing and difficulty breathing.
All babies and toddlers can contract RSV, but infants 6 months old and younger are most vulnerable to breathing complications that often arise.
In fact, Kennedy said young babies are often hospitalized and given nebulizer treatments to help them breath, if necessary.
The highly contagious virus is transmitted by airborne pathogens - through coughing and sneezing.
Kennedy said the best way to prevent the spread of the virus is for parents to keep infected children home.