Millions of children get sick with the flu every year and tens of thousands are hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus or RSV.  Research being presented at an American Academy of Pediatrics conference shows pandemic precautions, like wearing masks and social distancing, helped stop the spread of flu and other common respiratory viruses last season.

The study was conducted at Akron Children's Hospital in Ohio from October 2020 through April 2021, when pandemic measures were in place.

"We didn't really expect that we would see spreading of winter respiratory viruses in the summer.

It just shows you that these viruses, which are really very contagious, will take advantage of us as we open up, gather together, take off our masks," Dr.

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