I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for MedImmune. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.
When Zac was born, he wasn’t breathing. It’s a long story that still hurts to think about, but as you know, it has a happy ending. Because of his rough start though, I’m a bit more protective of him in regards to getting sick. He had a cold last week and I knew it was just a cold, but I watched him like a hawk to make sure it didn’t get worse. This is RSV season, and I want to do everything I can do to prevent him from getting it.
Zac as a newborn with his IV’s and monitors
What is RSV? RSV is a seasonal virus that almost all children get by the age of two. In healthy, full-term babies, it usually just causes mild to moderate cold-like symptoms, but is the leading cause of hospitalization for babies under one year of age {with about 125,000 hospitalizations per year} and is responsible for up to 200 infant deaths each year. RSV is highly contagious and typically occurs in waves from November through March. When we had Zac on January 31st, they advised us to keep him inside until April due to the combination of his breathing issues and it being “RSV season”.
Who is at risk? Every baby is at risk of getting RSV, and most do within their first two years of life. Premature infants are more likely to have a more severe reaction and are twice as likely as full-term infants to be hospitalized with RSV-related symptoms.
What are the symptoms? Symptoms may vary but include persistent coughing or wheezing, bluish color around the mouth or fingernails, rapid, difficult, or gasping breaths, and/or fever.
What can I do? RSV is very contagious, and it is very easy to spread. Just like the common cold, it can be spread through touching, sneezing, and coughing- and the virus can live on the skin or surfaces for hours. Be sure to wash your hands and insist that all guests do as well, especially before handling your baby or their belongings. Make sure to keep all toys, clothing, and blankets clean, and avoid crowds and other babies as much as possible during RSV season {November to March}. Since RSV presents with cold-like symptoms, try to avoid people who have recently been sick, and never let anyone smoke around your baby!
Most babies will get RSV. Most of those babies will just get a slight to moderate cold, so try not to let it scare you too much- just enough to be proactive in preventing your baby from getting it if possible. Shane never did get it, but since Zac gets out more than Shane did and is exposed to more children and people in general, we’ll see if we’re as lucky the second time around. If not, I know what to look out for! In the meantime, we’re making sure to wash our hands, keep everything clean, and use good judgment with exposure.
We don’t personally know any young babies who were premature, but if you do, be sure to remember to take extra caution around them! November 17th was World Prematurity Day, and while I don’t have any local friends with premature babies, many of my blogging colleagues and out-of-town friends have had babies prematurely. Seeing how common prematurity is makes me a lot more conscious about being careful not to let my kids spread RSV to those little ones, since they are at such a great risk.
You can learn more about RSV at RSVProtection.com, where you can find data about the RSV season in your area and read stories from real families who have experienced RSV.
Have you ever dealt with RSV?
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
My husband works at 3 different hospitals as a respiratory therapist. We were just talking about RSV the other day when he came home.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
RSV is such a scary thing. It must be so hard to watch your little one be so sick.
Stefany says
Unfortunately, my baby girl developed RSV when she was 14 months old. She became very, very ill and ended up on a ventilator. She spent over a month in the hospital and we came close to losing her. I am a big advocate for RSV prevention.
Laura says
I never have thankfully but I know it can be so scary!! Thanks for the info!!!
Amanda Love says
My oldest son had RSV so I try and educate as much people as I can about it. It’s a scary thing.
Esther says
RSV can be very scary especially when you are a new mom. I think it is so great that you are bringing attention to this now so moms can try their best to avoid their little ones getting it this winter.
Yona Williams says
I cannot imagine how it would feel if my baby was not breathing. There are so many things to learn before and during having a baby….it can get pretty scary.
Maggie says
ive been lucky with all 3 of my boys. They never got it. My middle one was premature and his lungs weren’t developed and I was told to keep him inside as well. Good information for parents with babies!
Marcie W. says
My middle child was born at 35 weeks and she came down with RSV at just 5 months old. Her lungs have never really been the best and even at 8 she tends to keep coughs for a long period of time.