Tis the season for RSV.
"Probably about 75 percent of our patient population is RSV positive," said Courtney Ehlers, the nurse manager at Avera Children's.
Macy Schnabel recently spent six days at Sanford Hospital with RSV. She was just three weeks old at the time.
"She was having a tough time breathing, a cough, a fever, so we knew we should bring her in," said Macy's mother Breonna.
Macy's pediatrician, Dr. Scott McKercher, said the Schnable's did the right thing. Despite the influx of RSV patients at Sanford's Castle and at Avera, they say parents must take RSV seriously.
"This year I think we're seeing more (cases) than we did last year," said Dr. McKercher.
"It should never be a fear to not take your child in because there might not be space. I think we're very well trained and practiced in managing the resources," added Ehlers.
Both Sioux Falls hospitals have been able to manage their increased numbers of RSV patients. If either runs out of space, an emergency plan is in place.
"We work very closely with other hospitals in town. If the need arises we activate the health care coalition," said Kathy Jacobs, Avera's Director of Environmental Safety.
While RSV is common.
"About 100 percent of two-year-olds have probably had RSV at some point so everyone gets it," said Dr. McKercher.
Its not to be taken lightly.
