PHOENIX — With the holiday season underway, respiratory illnesses such as the flu, COVID-19, and RSV are on the rise.

“It’s miserable to see any child get sick, much less, the toddlers this time of year,” said Dr. Anthony Pickett, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. “You just want them enjoying the holiday.”

But Dr. Pickett says the reality is, it’s something we all go through, and unfortunately, this time of year is considered “respiratory season.”

Here in Arizona, we typically see cases rise in late fall through early spring.

Flu and RSV cases often peak between November and February.

“Primarily in respiratory season, the lion’s share of what we see will be a combination of RSV, flu, COVID and the common cold,” he said.

Fall and winter are consi

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