Young children are vulnerable to seasonal illnesses each year, but doctors now are seeing babies, toddlers and preschoolers facing three maladies that produce similar symptoms.

RSV, flu and COVID-19 are all possible diagnoses when a parent brings their tot to the doctor, urgent care or emergency room with a fever, cough, congestion, malaise, dehydration and other symptoms.

Dr. Richard Filiaggi, chairman of pediatrics at Butler Health System, said doctors are seeing an increase in diagnosis of these diseases, but not the increase in serious illness causing hospitalization being reported by the national media.

He said youngsters are being tested for RSV when they would not have in years past, and most are being tested for flu as well.

Filiaggi said he doubts the triple threat has to do with children’ immunities being lowered due to the isolation associated with COVID-19 over the past few years, but feels the three maladies could be intermingling to make more children sick.

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