How To Protect Your Baby from RSV
5:34 PMWhen my third son Jayden was born several weeks early and weighing in at 6 pounds 1 ounce, I watched him like a hawk. Watching him it seems was not enough because in a few months he had gotten RSV and was started on breathing treatments. Luckily keeping a close eye on him made all the difference, but even so, he was on two different breathing treatments until after he was a year old. RSV is a series illness that unfortunately, moms are just not fully aware of. Below are some great tips and some information that new and even veteran moms should keep in mind to help avoid RSV
A few tips to remember when a loved one has a new baby:
• Call before you visit. New parents need time to set up a routine and bond. By giving them time to do so before you visit, you are respecting the new family.
• Postpone a visit if you feel that you may be getting sick, have recently been ill or exposed to illness.
• Remember that parents know best. If you feel they are being overprotective or overly cautious, just consider that only they know what’s best for the health of their new son or daughter.
• Offer to do something to ease their responsibilities as they spend time as a family, such as laundry, cooking or dishes. Sleep-deprived moms and dads will appreciate your help!
If you do schedule a visit with a new baby:
• Wash your hands frequently—upon entering the home and especially prior to holding the baby. Parents, and the new baby, will appreciate it.
• Leave toddlers at home, especially during the winter months. Young children, especially if they attend day care or preschool, often carry germs and viruses, like RSV, that are easily spread.
A few facts about RSV that all parents, caregivers and loved ones should know:
• Almost every baby will contract RSV by age 2, but only 1/3 of moms say they’ve heard of the virus.
• Serious RSV infection is the leading cause of infant hospitalization, responsible for more than 125,000 hospitalizations and up to 500 infant deaths each year.
• RSV occurs in epidemics each fall through spring. The CDC has defined “RSV season” as beginning in November and lasting through March for most parts of North America.
• There is no treatment for RSV, so it’s important for parents to take preventive steps to help protect their child (e.g., wash hands, toys, bedding frequently; avoid crowds and cigarette smoke).
• Certain babies are at an increased risk of developing serious RSV infection, so it’s important to speak with a pediatrician to determine if a baby may be at high risk for RSV, and discuss preventive measures.
• Symptoms of serious RSV infection include: persistent coughing or wheezing; rapid, difficult, or gasping breaths; blue color on the lips, mouth, or under the fingernails; high fever; extreme fatigue; and difficulty feeding. Parents should contact a medical professional immediately upon signs of these symptoms.
Have you or a loved one dealt with RSV? For more information on this illness, you can visit rsvprotection.com.
* I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of MedImmune and received promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.
15 comments
RSV is so scary and very serious! Makes me a helicopter mom.
ReplyDeleteRSV is so scary!! Especially when they are so little! Great post!
ReplyDeleteI had two babies hospitalized when they were younger with RSV so scary
ReplyDeleteThat is super scary!
ReplyDeleteRSV is super scary. Thank God my kids never had it
ReplyDeleteRSV is scary. I was lucky and didn't have to go through it but it's so important to raise awareness
ReplyDeleteInformative post!
ReplyDeleteIt's kinda scary, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteOne of the few times I was actually scared as a nurse was taking care of a baby with RSV that just went limp when I picked her up. We life flighted her out because she was doing so poorly.
ReplyDeleteRSV is so scary!!
ReplyDeleteRSV is SO scary!!
ReplyDeleteRSV scares me so.. I'm going to have Purell everywhere!!
ReplyDeleteSo scary!
ReplyDeleteRSV is such a scary illness, great tips!
ReplyDeleteMy heat goes out to any parents who have to deal with this.
ReplyDelete