Keep Your New Baby Healthy – RSV Awareness

With today’s technology, thankfully there are many things that can be done to help protect our children. However once they get into the “real world” they are bombarded with germs and viruses from seemingly every direction. One disease to be aware of is RSV. While most children catch RSV at least once by the time they turn 2, only 1/3 of moms say they’ve heard of it.

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) “is a common, easily spread virus.” It usually causes moderate-to-severe cold symptoms, however some babies, such as preemies or those with chronic lung disease, may be at risk of complications which can lead to serious lung infection.

Fortunately, there are many things that parents, and those of us who are about to visit a new baby, can do to help protect the baby from RSV disease.

As a guest, make sure you call the new parents before visiting. If you are feeling sick, are recovering from an illness, or have been around someone who has been sick, postpone your visit. When you do visit, wash your hands often – especially before holding the baby. Young kids can carry lots of germs that are easily spread, so if possible, leave the tots home when visiting a new baby.

Be particularly vigilant against RSV during “RSV season” which usually begins in November and lasts through March. Monitor any symptoms your baby may be exhibiting and contact a medical professional immediately if you notice symptoms of a serious RSV infection, which may 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.

To learn more about RSV and how you can prevent RSV disease, visit www.rsvprotection.com.

Disclaimer: This post consists of my (and/or fellow tester) opinions only. I am not a doctor and this post should not be considered professional medical advise. 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.