I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for MedImmune. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.
“RSV disease is the leading cause of hospitalization for babies during their first year of life in the United States, with approximately 125,000 hospitalizations and up to 400 infant deaths each year.
RSV disease is responsible for one of every 13 pediatrician visits and one of every 38 trips to the ER in children under the
age of five.
Despite being so common, many parents aren’t aware of RSV; in fact, one-third of mothers have never heard of the virus.”
After hearing the above, I realized we need to become more educated about RSV and the dangers of the disease. I have been blessed and have not had a child with severe RSV but I have had a family member (my nephew) who had severe RSV as a baby and was hospitalized. He recovered, but it was a very scary time for the family.
As parents we need to educate ourselves so we can know the symptoms and help protect our precious little ones.
Learn the Symptoms of Severe RSV Disease:
Contact your child’s pediatrician immediately if your child exhibits one or more of the following:
· Persistent coughing or wheezing
· Bluish color around the mouth or fingernails
· Rapid, difficult, or gasping breaths
· Fever [especially if it is over 100.4°F (rectal) in infants under 3 months of age]
How Can I Help Protect My Baby From RSV?
RSV is very contagious and can be spread easily through touching, sneezing and coughing. Additionally, the virus can live on the skin
and surfaces for hours. There is no treatment for RSV disease once it’s contracted, so prevention is critical. To help minimize the
spread of RSV disease, all parents should:
· Wash their hands and ask others to do the same
· Keep toys, clothes, blanket and sheets clean
· Avoid crowds and other young children during RSV season
· Never let anyone smoke around your baby
· Steer clear of people who are sick or who have recently been sick
World Prematurity Day is November 17th. Preemies are especially at risk for RSV disease so it is important that parent’s of preemies now how to protect them.
RSV: A Risk to Preemies
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common seasonal virus, contracted by nearly all children by the age of two, and typically causes
mild to moderate cold-like symptoms in healthy, full-term babies. Preterm infants, however, are born with undeveloped lungs and
immature immune systems that put them at heightened risk for developing severe RSV disease, often requiring hospitalization.
· RSV infection is more likely to root in premature lungs where developing airways are narrowed and especially fragile
· Preterm babies carry fewer virus-fighting antibodies—a precious gift from mom that all infants need while their own immune systems mature after birth.
Speak to your child’s pediatrician to determine if your baby is at high risk for RSV disease, and if so, what additional steps may be
recommended. For more information about RSV and prevention, visit www.RSVprotection.com.
Also check out this Infographic about RSV:
You can visit RSVProtection.com to learn more.
