4-month-old Georgia infant hospitalized with flu, RSV as cases surge statewide

4-month-old baby from Acworth is fighting for his life after contracting multiple respiratory illnesses during a surge of flu cases across Georgia.

(CNN)-  4-month-old baby from Acworth is fighting for his life after contracting multiple respiratory illnesses during a surge of flu cases across Georgia.

Oliver, whose family asked that his last name not be used, was rushed to Wellstar Kennestone Hospital after developing a fever on Christmas. What started as a mild illness quickly escalated into a medical emergency.

“They put him in ICU and on a ventilator,” said his aunt, Sara Stoesz.

Stoesz says doctors quickly determined that Oliver tested positive for both influenza A and RSV. Soon after, he was also diagnosed with pneumonia.

“As soon as they got there, they took his vitals and rushed him back to a room,” Stoesz said. “She got a test back within an hour that he was flu A positive. And then right after that they came back in and said, well, he also is positive for RSV.”

The four-month-old, described by family as a typically happy and calm baby, remains hospitalized as doctors monitor his condition.

The Georgia Department of Public Health reports that positive influenza A cases are climbing steadily across the state, with hospitals seeing an influx of patients — particularly infants and older adults.

“We had that brief period where it got chilly right after Thanksgiving,” said Dr. Tim Paul with Tanner Health. “You get a lot of people that came together at that time for the holidays, and now here you are two to four weeks later where you really start to see it blossom. So we’re just getting a big influx.”

Dr. Paul says young children and seniors remain the most vulnerable.

“The little babies and older folks are at risk,” he said.

While no other family members have tested positive, Oliver’s aunt says the experience has been terrifying — and she hopes others take illness seriously.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a runny nose or a cough,” Stoesz said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s not a big deal to you or me. If you’re sick, just stay home. To us, it’s just a cold — but to them it could literally take their life.”

Health officials continue to urge vaccination, frequent handwashing, and staying home when sick to help slow the spread of respiratory viruses.