GREEN BAY, Wis.- What seems like the common cold could be something much more serious according to local doctors. They're warning parents about a spike in RSV or Respirator Syncytial Virus infections across Northeast Wisconsin. The disease impacts infants and toddlers most often and can even be deadly.
Peggy Stinson who works in a local daycare isn't taking any chances.
"If they suck on a toy I throw it in the sink, we sanitize and good hand washing is a big thing," Stinson said.
Stinson is the infant teacher at Growing Time Childcare Center in Green Bay and she says they've haven't seen a case of RSV yet, but she's dealt with it in the past.
"The child was admitted to the hospital and we right away cleaned everything down," said Stinson.
Doctors say RSV numbers are up 30 percent from last year and parents need to be watching for signs that start off like the common cold.
"But after three, four or five days it can really go into the lungs and become more of a problem," said HSHS St, Vincent Children's Hospital Dr. Joel Ament.
Signs of RSV include; wheezing, shortness of breath, irritability and decreased activity.
"You're spending so much energy breathing they're kind of working up and down and little babies will kind of bob their heads a little bit," said Dr. Ament.
Therefore Stinson is keeping her eyes peeled for the virus.
"We got to watch for the signs so if we notice anything we're going to have to call a parent right away," said Stinson.
She's working to keep areas clean so kids don't get sick.
