Doctors are warning an illness that affects infants is on the rise.

Respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV, is a dangerous disease that spreads as easy as the common cold.

Symptoms of RSV are the same as a cold: sneezing, coughing, runny nose or fever; but doctors say this illness is life threatening.

Babies under the age of six-months-old and children who are born premature or have other health issues are at highest risk.

According to the Center for Disease Control, about 125,000 children are hospitalized with RSV every year.

Local doctor Gary McCormick from Mount Nittany Medical group says he has seen more children with respiratory issues and with influenza over the past few weeks.

He says that there isn't a vaccine or medicine to treat the illness, but washing your hands and staying inside will help.

Doctors suggest if your children are showing any of these signs, to schedule an appointment with your doctor, just to be safe.