Doctors asking Minnesotans to take precautions as hospitals feel crunch from RSV, other respiratory illnesses

Minnesota hospitals — pressed for bed space due to RSV, flu and still some COVID — are urging parents to consider alternatives to the emergency room for children who are only mildly ill.  Doctor Jill Amsberry, pediatrician and recent pediatric medical director at CentraCare in Saint Cloud, says prolonged fever would be one reason to bring your child in:

“Fevers lasting four to five days; any difficulty breathing — if you notice that their ribs are starting to suck in when they’re breathing or their nose is starting to flare out — those would be concerning signs that would bring you in to the clinics or hospitals.”

Amsberry says if a child stops drinking well, that’s another important sign that they need to be seen.