This time is always busy for hospitals and emergency rooms, but the severity of illnesses may be above average this year, officials say.

Doctors are starting to see cases of RSV — respiratory syncytial virus — a disease that can cause lung illness in children.

Doctors are starting to see cases of RSV — respiratory syncytial virus — a disease that can cause lung illness in children.

Doctors are starting to see cases of RSV — respiratory syncytial virus — a disease that can cause lung illness in children.

Hospital emergency rooms in the East Valley “exploded” with patients in the last two weeks, health officials reported.

The sniffles, runny nose and cough going around your home may be a cold, but recent numbers also show RSV is ramping up in the Valley.

Cardinals coach Dave McGinnis refused to blame the upper respiratory infection that hampered a couple of his players throughout the week for Sunday’s 20-17 loss, but it did make a difference.

About 150 students from Chandler’s Seton Catholic High School stayed home earlier this week due to flulike symptoms.

For years, staff and students at Corona del Sol High School complained that mold and stale air were making them sick. Recently, they’ve lobbied state lawmakers and policymakers to improve the air quality at the Tempe school.

A Scottsdale-based biotechnology company is developing a drug that could help people survive chemical attacks, radiation exposure and modernday viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome and avian flu, company leaders say.

Craig Kinneberg figured he had mononucleosis or maybe a severe case of the flu.

The state has confirmed 90 cases of respiratory syncytial virus this season, according to the latest report for the week ending Dec. 17.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued an ozone health watch for Wednesday.

HONG KONG - The Rolling Stones have postponed two weekend shows in Hong Kong over concerns about the flu-like illness that's sickened hundreds in parts of Asia.

WASHINGTON - States and local officials across the country awaited word Wednesday on whether they will have to further cut air pollution to protect millions of people, especially the very young and the elderly, from respiratory illnesses.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has extended an ozone health watch into Thursday. The elderly and the young – as well as those susceptible to respiratory illness – may want to limit time outdoors.

The state Department of Health Services is reporting 37 confirmed cases of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, so far this season, according to a weekly report out late last week.

An ozone health watch remains in place Monday. A health watch was also in place over the weekend, though ozone levels did not get as high as expected due to increased afternoon winds.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has extended an air quality health watch again this week. It is in effect through Saturday and Sunday because ozone levels may approach federal limits.

Rising ozone levels and expected dust from high winds on Saturday are sparking an air quality health watch from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued a health watch for air quality on Thursday. Fine particle matters are moving upward - partly due to increased wood burning - and stagnant air is trapping it above the Valley. Residents with respiratory illness are encouraged to limit prolonged time outdoors.

Officials have announced a high pollution advisory for Thursday beginning at midnight.

A high pollution advisory was announced for today, beginning Thursday at midnight. Air particles are expected to exceed federal health standards.