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.
I love fall and winter. What I don’t love is the illness that comes along with it. Everyone that has been visiting ToBethode for any amount of time knows what my family went through with that beautiful little girl above because of RSV. My baby, at 15 months, was diagnosed with RSV and ended up hospitalized and on a ventilator within a week. No, RSV was not the cause for her ending up on a ventilator but it was the catalyst for a horrible 33 (plus) days of her being hospitalized. There are so many parents that do not even know about RSV, and honestly, that scares me so much.
RSV was the catalyst for Jemma being in the hospital. While she was in the ICU, we met several parents who were in a similar situation with their premature (2x more likely than full-term) and newborn babies because of RSV. RSV changed our lives forever. My Jemma was on ventilators for weeks. I watched my baby struggle for her breaths, saw her with chest tubes due to both lungs collapsing. I wasn’t sure she would be able to come out of it. I was so very thankful to see those we had come to know in the ICU go home with their babies and was hoping for our own little miracle. That day did come and we were able to bring Jemma home. Sadly, I still worry about her (despite her being well over the age for RSV to be a true threat) and will never forget our experience. Because of how it affected our lives, I want everyone to know what RSV is, how it is contracted, and what can be done once your baby is affected. No child should suffer in this way, so I want prevention to be the priority for all parents, especially those with premature babies.
What is RSV?
RSV is really a very common seasonal virus (usually November through March) and it is typically seen in all healthy, full-term children by the age of 2 as cold-like symptoms. But, there are those that are affected on a much larger scale… with it being the leading cause of hospitalization for babies during their first year of life. Can you believe that there are around 125,000 hospitalizations from RSV per year? Even worse, that there are up to 200 deaths from it each year?
Are you reading this feel hopeless to prevent your little one from being affected by this virus? Well, you are wrong! One thing I always wanted as a nurse is to empower parents and families with information. Information will help you keep your child safe from RSV!
RSV is very contagious! It is easily spread through touching, sneezing, and coughing. We believe that Jemma contracted RSV from one of the older kids, who brought it home with them from school (and presented as a cold). There is no treatment for RSV so preventing is crucial! Here are things you can do:
- Wash your hands and have others do the same (this is the single best way to prevent spreading illness)
- Keep toys, clothes, blankets, and sheets clean
- Avoid crowds and other young children during RSV season
- Never let anyone smoke around your baby (this compromises their fragile lungs!)
- Stay away from those that are sick or who have recently been sick
I want you to know the symptoms of RSV too. Remember, knowledge is power! Be watching for these signs and symptoms in your littles ones. If you see any of these, please contact your child’s pediatrician immediately. Time is critical when dealing with RSV so don’t delay in getting care for your baby!
- 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)
On November 17, 2014, World Prematurity Day, please join me in thinking about all those babies that are born premature and the struggles they face. Do all you can to keep them healthy and safe… not just during cold and flu season, but all year round. These babies are at higher risk for illness so it is our responsibility to do all we can to prevent that.
I encourage you to visit www.RSVprotection.com for more information about talking to your child’s pediatrician about risk factors, data regarding the RSV season in your area, and for other real stories of families that have been affected by RSV.
Do you have any personal experience with RSV? Do you know anyone with a newborn or premature baby that could benefit from this information? If so, please pass it along… again, knowledge is power!
My daughter had RSV as a small baby. I was so new to everything and terrified every time she coughed that I took her to the Dr right away. Lucky for both of us I was that worried mom because she had RSV and they caught it early enough that she didn’t need hospitalization. Awareness is so important. We need to save our babies.
As a nursing student I haven plenty of experience with RSV. I also have a friend that has a baby and a another one on the way.
That must have been a scary time for your family. I don’t know anyone with RSV but will be sure to keep this information on hand to share ways to prevent it.
My son had RSV when he was six months. I know that it can be a really scary disease for babies.
Thank you for raising awareness on this disease. And also thank you for sharing your story so that others might learn from it. Thanks
I’m getting ready to write my story on this. I didn’t have experience with RSV, but my son was a preemie. Since he was born at 32 weeks and only 3lbs 5oz, his doctor STRONGLY recommended the RSV vaccine. I had a nurse come out once a month to give him the shot. She was fantastic. I don’t know if my son would have gotten RSV without the vaccine, but I’m glad i didn’t have to find out. I’m so sorry you experienced it from the other side, but really happy that your beautiful little girl was okay in the end.
My daughter got the Synagis shot monthly during her first winter as well. She wasn’t a preemie but she was born with heart defects and was in heart failure so RSV could have been fatal. I had heard of RSV before but not of Synagis but I was really glad it was available (although really really expensive…..luckily insurance finally decided to cover it after multiple calls from her cardiologist).
I’m loving the awareness. You can’t help if you don’t know, and you’re educating people which will make them want to help in the ways that they can.
No, I have never heard of RSV. I’ll be happy to pass it along! Good to know for myself too with two little ones.
It is so important to spread awareness!! So many people don’t know about it.
Oh gosh, I didn’t even know about this. I think it’s good you have shared about this – we have to make an act to prevent such things.
I never even knew that RSV existed until recently. Prevention is key for most diseases/viruses/etc.
Well, it’s apparent that I don’t know much about RSV, because I thought only tiny ones could get it. I didn’t know a 15-month old would be susceptible! Wow! Thank you for all the info!
I have never heard of this but I’m glad I know about it now. How scary for your family.
It is so scary to me that a common childhood virus could lead to such terrible life long problems.
Awww! I hate when the little ones are sick. It’s so sad they are so upset and helpless! I hear RSV can be scary.
None of my 6 have had it thankfully!
They’re so little and defenseless when they catch it, so it’s super hard to fight. I’m so glad you’re spreading the news!
RSV is so scary. My friends daughter, like yours, was hospitalized for quite some time due to complications from RSV. Thank you for spreading awareness on how to prevent RSV!
I have never herd of this. Thank you for sharing and making me aware of this.
Its great that you are raising awareness about RSV! I didn’t know about it for a long time, which is surprising because it is very common! And can cause some serious problems!
My 9 year old has a lot of health issue and I *still* worry about RSV with him.
I have two teenagers and can not remember ever being educated on RSV. It would be so scary to have your little one so sick. This is very important information for anyone with a little one.
This is so scary! I be that was a nightmare for you but I’m glad you got through it.
Wonderful post, not many people actaully know about this so it’s great to spread the word!
I never heard of this before and think it’s great that you’re sharing your story and raising awareness. Your daughter is adorable and I’m so glad she’s okay.
I have never heard of RSV. Thanks for making me aware of this. I think its important that people spread the word.
My baby actually never left the hospital until he was about 3 weeks old because he developed it before he even left the hospital when he was born. It was the first time I had heard about RSV myself and it was scary. Here’s hoping that more awareness is raised for this horrible sickness.
My daycare boy was born VERY VERY early and he has to get the RSV shots because he is at risk of getting it. So far so good..
That must have been so scary. I think it’s important to do anything we can to prevent RSV!