Doctors across the nation are continuing to see a rise in respiratory illnesses.

Local doctors in the Hudson Valley say they are experiencing this as well, especially with more cases of walking pneumonia.

Two local doctors told News 12 that the start of the school year often starts the increase in cases.

"Since September, we have been very busy with not just physicals but with patients coming in with upper respiratory infections," says Dr. David Levi, with St. John's Riverside Hospital. "Walking pneumonia is what's also classified as atypical pneumonia. Usually, it's something that's a little more gradual as compared to a typical pneumonia."

But Dr. Levi and Dr. Sankaran Krishnan, with Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, said there is no cause for concern right now.

"This is something to keep in mind if your child has a low-grade fever with a persistent cough," says Dr. Sankaran.

Local doctors said symptoms of walking pneumonia are similar to the common cold. They are seeing these illnesses in kids of all ages. Both said about 4% to 10% of patients who come in with a cold are testing positive for walking pneumonia.

"We are seeing an unusually large number of patients as compared to our baseline of what we're normally used to. But the reason is not clear," says Dr. Krishnan.

Doctors said there are steps parents can take at home to help prevent your child from catching a respiratory illness, including washing hands, coughing into the elbow and be up to date on vaccines.

They suggest that if symptoms last longer than a week to see a doctor.