Cases of the flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are surging in the United States.

Dr. Matthew Harris, of Northwell Health, says preventing the flu is especially important this year with the spike in RSV.

RSV causes infections of the respiratory tract, especially in children.

"We are in our emergency department seeing 30% more children by volume compared to the same time two years ago," Dr. Harris says

He says RSV is very transmissible and is creating a burden on hospitals and emergency care facilities across Long Island.

Harris says at the children's hospital RSV represents nearly half of all emergency department visits.

He says with an uptick of other COVID-19 variants, it's important to be vaccinated for both COVID and the flu.

"All eligible people and children should go get vaccinated and, of course, the standard precautions we've had throughout the COVID pandemic and washing your hands," Harris says. "Mask in certain places, if possible, certainly not going to work or school if you're sick."