LEXINGTON, Ky. — As we step into the second week of December, hospitals across the region are showing a rise in cases of seasonal illnesses.

It’s caused many immediate care centers and emergency rooms to near or reach capacity.

Hospitals like the Kentucky Children’s Hospital say while they are expanding their capacity, catching symptoms early can help save a trip to the hospital.

Weeks after families gather for the holidays, some of the commonwealth’s hospitals and emergency rooms are seeing steady numbers around RSV, influenza and COVID-19.

With nearly 30 patients experiencing either RSV or the flu, the Kentucky Children’s Hospital is hoping to prevent the spread in vulnerable groups.

“We continue to push our children’s hospital to expand capacity and these are patients that need us, so we are working day and night to make sure that we can accommodate all of their needs,” said Dr. Lindsay Ragsdale. “I can say as a parent myself, you want your child to have all the medical care that they need when they’re sick.”

Last summer, hospitals like Norton Healthcare and the Kentucky Children’s Hospital reached record-highs for RSV before the peak of its general season.

While many say numbers are rounding out as the year ends, some hospitals are admitting twice the amount of positive cases than the same time last year.

UofL Health reports seeing nearly 900 cases of the flu and 50 RSV from thanksgiving to last Wednesday, with Baptist Health Floyd seeing a 10% increase in overall ER visits for the Flu alone.

However, officials say that often these are symptoms we have consistently dealt with.

“If you have chest pain from shortness of breath and feel like you’re gonna pass out, those are all reasons to probably proceed to an emergency department for an evaluation. But a lot of times, the flu will bring on body-aches, cough, congestion and those are symptoms that we’ve all been used to having for many years,” said Norton Healthcare Dr. Steven Hester.

For kids and those with weakened immune systems, Ragsdale says it is important for parents to trust their instinct with changes in normal health patterns.

“Once your fever gets taken care of, you give them medicine and they prescribe back up. That’s great. That’s usually what we see, but if they continue to lie around and they’re not drinking, those are things to keep an eye on, really watch their hydration status,” Ragsdale said.

While common symptoms can be treated from home, experts recommend discussing further treatment options before coming to the ER and more.

“It’s always tricky to know when to when is it an emergency or not, but making your pediatrician or your primary care office the first stop and or giving them a call to say this is what we’re seeing, what we advice would you give us, there are urgent treatment centers and twilight clinics that are available for walk-in or call-in appointments.” Dr. Ragsdale said.

One of the most important reminders doctors expressed is that washing your hands can make the biggest difference.