While Ebola has been making headlines, a common virus that sends hundreds of thousands of US children to the hospital annually has slipped under the radar. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infects the small airways of the lungs and most people have been infected by age two. But just like influenza (the flu), we can catch it again and again.

Adults usually experience symptoms of the common cold - runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and fever. However, in infants and young children, the symptoms can be much more serious. In addition to being tired and fussy, they may not want to eat and may have problems breathing. If this happens, the child should seek immediate medical care.

Even when hospitalized, the vast majority of children survive without any complications. However in the elderly, RSV causes 10,000 deaths or more annually in the US. Premature infants and those with chronic lung or heart conditions are also at higher risk of more serious disease and for that special group, a monthly injection can help protect them. So if your infant is less than one year old and was born two months early or has congenital heart or lung issues, ask your physician if your child may benefit from the injections.

Unfortunately, there is no immunization against RSV. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to practice good hygiene. The CDC recommends washing your hands often, clean and disinfect surfaces, avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, and avoid close contact with sick people. If you do become ill, cover your coughs and sneezes (watch video Why Don't We Do It In Our Sleeves http://www.coughsafe.com/sleeves-english.html and on YouTube), and stay at home.

For more information, feel free to visit www.cdc.gov/rsv or visit with your physician.

Mu Chen, M.D., is a second year resident at Texas Tech. Chen earned his Bachelor's in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Austin and completed medical school at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center.