Palmerston North Hospital is admitting between 10 and 20 babies a day with respiratory illnesses, including RSV. “Although some of the very young children can get severe illness, the majority of people have more mild illness and should manage themselves at home rather than try and rush in for an appointment. “Fever, cough with some yellow or green phlegm, [a] sore throat and feeling miserable are very common symptoms of the infection, but they seldom need any treatment.” Palmerston North Hospital operations executive for healthy, women, children and youth Sarah Fenwick said the Midcentral District Health Board was experiencing a significant increase in babies and children presenting with respiratory illnesses, including RSV.