CHARLOTTESVILLE Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Local health officials are saying parents should be cautious when giving children adult medicine.

During a weekly health briefing, University of Virginia Health System doctors say there has been a shortage of infant and children's medications. Everything from Tylenol to Amoxicillin has been harder for parents to find.

Dr. Costi Sifri says it's not surprising we're seeing the shortage because of strains on supply chains brought on by the pandemic and a big increase in infections this year.

He says if you need to give your child adult doses due to the shortage, talk to your pediatrician first.

"Adult formulations and child formulations are not always the same. And you know if you do things like split capsules and things like that, that can be really problematic," said Sifri. "So really working with your pediatricians or your family, physicians to get the right medicine for your child."

He says UVA Health has added more pediatric ICU beds in response to the increase in respiratory virus infections.