Preemies Are at Higher Risk for RSV
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a contagious, sometimes fatal respiratory infection. Yearly in the United States an estimated 90,000 infants are admitted to the hospital with the virus and of those hospitalized 4,500 die. According to a recent study conducted by PreemieCare many parents of premature infants are unaware of RSV and the seriousness of the infection.
Most children by the age of two will have developed RSV and recovered with no hospitalization. But preemies, because of their underdeveloped lungs and immature immune system are at a higher risk of contracting RSV; and the effects are more serious to infants born prematurely versus full-term healthy babies. The virus is especially dangerous to premature infants under the age of six-months.
How It’s Spread
Touching, kissing, sneezing and coughing transmit RSV. It’s also spread through contaminated objects. An adult or older child can spread the bacteria by handling a bottle or toy, thus infecting the baby when he touches the object. This stubborn virus can live up to five hours on countertops and other surfaces.
Symptoms of RSV
Most infections occur between September and April, the height of RSV season, with the majority of cases being diagnosed in January and February. (Incidentally, my son was diagnosed and hospitalized in both October and February.)
The virus begins with cold like symptoms including a runny nose, fever, congestion, wheezing, coughing, increased respirations, occasional ear infections, and an overall difficulty with breathing. These symptoms will appear 4-6 days after exposure to the virus.
Many parents assume their infant has a cold and will ignore the symptoms until they suddenly worsen. If your premature infant shows any of these symptoms call your pediatrician. It’s better to have your child checked out by a doctor and find out it’s “nothing” versus letting it develop into full-blown RSV.
Protecting Your Preemie From RSV
Depending on the gestational age of your baby at birth, he or she may have been given, or is receiving the medication Synagis. This injection is given monthly during RSV season.
Tips to help you prevent your infant from catching RSV:
1. After bringing your newborn home from the hospital insist and enforce a no visitors’ policy. This is difficult because friendsand relatives want to see the baby. Although I didn’t't allow visitors inside the house they were welcome to stand on the porch and I held my son up to the window. This approach worked well and pacified everyone. If you are unable to enforce this policy, limit the visitors, their contact with the infant, and make sure everyone including yourself thoroughly wash your hands with antibacterial soap before handling the baby.
2. If you have a cold or fever avoid contact with your baby. This is much easier said than done. New parents want to hold and cuddle their infant, and it’s especially difficult for breast-feeding moms. If you must have contact with your child wear a mask.
3. Do not allow anyone to smoke around your baby. For obvious reasons this is necessary for the health of your baby, but tobacco smoke increases the risk of RSV.
What To Expect If Your Child Gets RSV
In 2003 after the birth of my preemie son I knew nothing about RSV and unfortunately when I did learn about it, I did so the hard way, not once but twice. Education is a great defense in fighting and preventing RSV. I urge all preemie parents to arm themselves with the facts.