RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Health experts say October is the best time to get ahead of respiratory virus, especially in children, with the winter months fast approaching. Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, noted that the nation saw about 800,000 hospitalizations between COVID-19, Influenza and RSV last year, adding that vaccines cut a person's risk in half. "October is the best time to get those updated flu and COVID shots," Dr. Cohen said. "And if you're over 75, an RSV vaccine as well, we know these viruses continue to change and we want the best protection we can get." Dr. Cohen told 8News there are additional preventative measures people can take. "You want to make sure you're staying home when you're sick [and} please don't share your germs with others, and make sure you're testing yourself so you know what you have," Dr. Cohen said. "We have treatment for COVID and for flu, but you need to know what you have so you can get those potentially life-saving treatments." According to Dr. Cohen, health providers are seeing children under five continue to become ill from COVID-19 resulting in being admitted to the intensive care unit. Dr. Cohen added that the reason is unknown as some of these children do not have underlying conditions, but the need to protect all children going into the fall and winter months is great. Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU medical director of complex care, Dr. Tiffany Kimbrough, told 8News that providers are starting to see a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases found in children, but are starting to see cases of the flu and RSV trickle in. "Now other infections are circulating, [we're] starting to see flu pick up, [we're] starting to see RSV pick up," Dr. Kimbrough said. "And then another infection that we typically see in the fall, Rhino enterovirus, is also circulating right now." According to Dr. Kimbrough, as of Wednesday, Oct. 1, two children are currently hospitalized for RSV, one child for COVID-19 and none for the flu. She added an estimated 10 children are in the intensive care unit for the Rhino enterovirus. According to the Virginia Department of Health, as of the week of Sept. 28, there have been three pediatric flu deaths during the 2023-2024 flu season. What is Rhino enterovirus? According to the CDC, Rhino enterovirus is the most frequent cause of a common cold and is a common viral trigger for asthma attacks. "It's a common cold -- [a] common virus that most of us will get through," Dr. Kimbrough said. "Cough, stuffy nose, feel kind of [feeling] run down—it can also cause some stomach symptoms." Dr. Kimbrough told 8News that the symptoms of this particular virus are causing a handful of children to need extra support, especially those who tend to be small or have underlying health conditions. "That virus is either causing them to have oxygen levels or to need extra support in order to breathe comfortably and to get enough oxygen into their bodies," Dr. Kimbrough said. According to Dr. Kimbrough, adults can also receive this virus, and since there is not a vaccine for the virus currently, washing is what she said is the best preventative. "A lot of time their kids will bring it home, so, your little one might get sick and then you might follow behind them," Dr. Kimbrough said. "Covering your nose if you're coughing, washing your hands if you touched your face. Stay home if you're sick, and then if your child develops symptoms, supportive care, fluids, hydration and rest, and making sure that we're staying hydrated, and then watching out for any signs of worsening." For information on vaccinations and where to receive them click here.