Merseyside hospitals see rise in young children with illnesses usually only seen in Winter
Parents are being urged to keep an eye out for signs of RSV
Hospitals in Merseyside say they're treating a growing number of children and young babies with illnesses usually only seen in the Winter.
It comes as parents are being urged to look out for signs of RSV - a respiratory infection that can be severe if untreated.
In a normal year it usually circulates between November and March but since lockdown ended health bosses say these annual viruses are happening much sooner.
Dr Nikki Stevenson is Medical Director at Arrowe Park, she says they're expecting a busy Winter :
"All of us are exposed to viruses that we might not have immunity against because we've not come across them for a couple of years and in particular chidlren haven't been going to nursery and mixing with other children.
"That's why we are seeing RSV earlier this year.
"Most babies and small children will present with a common cold and we might be aware that it is RSV and most will be managed safely at home without any longterm effects.
"They build up their immunity and that's why we don't tend to see it in older children. It's a right of passage of childhood really".
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