GREENSBORO, N.C. — Health care professionals warn that respiratory illnesses are on the rise and we have not reached the peak of the season.
Kimberly Martin said this holiday she rushed her kids to the emergency room after noticing they had a hard time breathing.
"My daughter, she was having a hard time pulling from her stomach. My son couldn't even catch his breath in the hospital," Martin said.
She said her both her children under the age of 9 tested positive for RSV.
"It was so difficult to watch," Martin said.
Symptoms like this are why Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist is recommending masks for visitors at all hospitals. Cone Health is requiring masks for specific departments. Kids under the age of 12 are asked to stay away from hospital visits unless necessary.
"It's not something unique about kids under 12 but it's just the assumption that older people are more likely to have more cough etiquette and hand hygiene," Cynthia Snider said.
She is the Cone Health Medical Director for Infection Prevention.
Medical experts warn that RSV, Flu, and COVID-19 are the top three respiratory illnesses present this season.
MORE WAYS TO GET WFMY NEWS 2
Subscribe to our daily newsletter Let’s Get 2 It!
Download the WFMY News 2 APP from your Apple or Google Play store.
ADD THE WFMY+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or search for WFMY.
Amazon Fire TV: Search for WFMY to find the free app to add to your account. You can also add the app directly to your Fire TV through your Amazon account.