One Saturday morning almost 9 years ago, I woke up not knowing that within a few hours we will be heading to the emergency room with a sick baby. That morning my husband had to run an errand & I was alone with our 8-month old son when suddenly he began crying, coughing and fuzzing, honestly I though it was a typical cold. After lunch our happy child was unwilling to eat or sleep & throwing up, at that moment I told my husband that we need to go to the nearest Children hospital. As soon as we arrived at the hospital, he was checked over & immediately admitted, our 8-months old had the RSV virus. Neither of us knew what that meant, the only thing we knew is that our son was sick & he needed medical assistance. After 8 long days, we were finally able to return home, this is one of those experiences you never want to go through. Thankfully he completely recuperated and did not incur any long-term consequences.
Learn the ABC’s of RSV!
Did you know that there is no treatment for RSV disease? It’s true, therefore, prevention is critical! Remember, a pediatrician is the best way for mothers to get answers to their child’s health issues, unfortunately, one in three Hispanic mothers has made a decision to avoid or postpone proper treatment for their child because of healthcare costs. In addition to talking to their children’s doctor, parents can help protect their children from contracting RSV by: Washing their hands and ask others to do the same; Keeping toys, clothes, blanket and sheets clean; Avoiding crowds and other young children during RSV season; Never letting anyone smoke around your baby; & Steering clear of people who are sick or who have recently been sick.
As a parent we need to be prepared, below you can Learn the ABC’s of RSV and an infographic as to what we should know about RSV:
A is for Awareness:
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 occurs in epidemics each year, typically from November through March, though it can vary by geography and year-to-year
- 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 (and two-thirds of Hispanic mothers) have never heard of the virus
B is for Babies:
- Premature babies—defined as those born before 37 weeks gestation—are most at risk for developing severe RSV disease because they have underdeveloped lungs and fewer antibodies to fight the virus than babies born full term.
- Amongst Hispanics, the preterm birth rate has grown six percent over the last decade. Currently one in eight Hispanic babies is born premature and it is likely that high prematurity rates are a reason for increased risk of RSV within Hispanic communities.
C is for Contagious:
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. Learn the symptoms of severe RSV disease and 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]
Please past this vital information to everyone you know that has little ones under the age of 2. If you suspect that your baby has RSV please talk to your pediatrician right away & don’t wait until your baby too sick. For more information about RSV and prevention, visit RSVprotection.com.
Disclosure: This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with MedImmune and Latina Bloggers Connect.