Hot Mama In The City

Did you know that most babies will contract RSV? It's highly contiguous and only about 1/3 of mom's are aware of the virus. Preemies are much more perceptible to the disease and it's important that parents of preemies are informed of the virus and it's dangers.

My first was born 4 weeks early and had to spend some time in NICU but came out strong and healthy. My second, Maddox was born at 38 weeks and at 5-6 months old he had contracted the RSV virus that fall. I heard of RSV before because my niece had it when she was a few months old and had to be hospitalized but I didn't know much about the virus and how to protect my babies. It was a stressful few weeks when Maddox had the virus. He's coughs sounded so bad and he required breathing treatments. I got very little sleep during those few weeks.

"It is estimated that 82% of U.S. children aged six weeks to six years old, spend some amount of time in child care. Whether it’s five or 50 hours a week, the risks of spending time in a daycare or pre-school setting are the same — increased exposure to contagious germs and viruses. Children’s inborn behavioral habits such as a need for close interpersonal contact and lack of good personal hygiene, combined with an environment that promotes and rewards sharing, make daycare settings an environment for infection spreading. Because their immune systems are not yet fully developed, this is especially worrisome for very pre-term babies in daycare, or with school-aged siblings who bring germs into the home."

Emma lee started Pre-school in the fall, and I'm nervous about her bringing home germs and viruses that can make us sick especially with my son Maddox who will be 2 this summer. I know that children can catch RSV more than once like any other viruses.

Here are some tips to help prevent RSV: 

• Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your baby, and ask others to do the same
• Don't let anyone smoke in your home, or near your baby
• Wash your baby's toys, clothes, and bedding often
• Keep your baby away from:  Crowds and young children and People with colds

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.
• 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.
• There is no treatment for RSV, so it’s important for parents to take preventive steps to help protect their child (wash hands, toys, bedding frequently; avoid crowds and cigarette smoke). 

Visit www.RSVProtection.com and follow #RSVProtection on Twitter for more information.


{This is a sponsored post for Latina Bloggers Connect. All opinions are of my own}