Protect your child from RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of pneumonia and severe respiratory tract infections in children under age 1. Symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough and wheezing.
"The infection is more serious in premature infants because their lungs are not fully developed and they may not have enough natural immunity to fight the virus," says Virtua pediatrician
Michael Foreman, MD. "RSV has been associated with sudden death in some infants. And, may also cause long-term health problems including pneumonia, middle ear infections or other complications during the virus' peak season from November to April."
According to Goldie Markowitz, MSN, RN, APN, manager of pediatric clinical development at Virtua: "RSV is highly contagious and easily spread through physical contact with an infected person. It's also spread through the air by sneezing or coughing, and it can live more than five hours on objects such as toys, furniture and countertops."
Some steps to prevent RSV:
- Wash your hands and insist that others wash their hands before touching a baby.
- Limit contact with a baby if you have a cold or fever and insist that others do the same.
- Limit a baby's exposure to other young children during RSV and flu season.
- Do not smoke near a baby or in the home.