Did you know that preemies are more susceptible to getting RSV? Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common, easily spread virus that almost all children catch at least once by the time they turn 2. RSV disease usually causes moderate-to-severe cold symptoms. However, for some babies, complications from RSV disease can lead to a serious lung infection.
Call your baby's doctor if your baby has any of these problems:
- Fast breathing or gasping for breath
- Spread-out nostrils and/or a caved-in chest when trying to breathe
- A bluish color around the mouth or fingernails
- A fever (in infants under 3 months of age, a fever greater than 100.4°F rectal is a cause for concern)
RSV spreads just like a common-cold virus. Taking a few extra precautions around your family and friends can help protect your baby.
- 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.
Please make sure to take the right precautions during this RSV season.
My husband was born a preemie. His mother smoked during her entire pregnancy and he was born in his seventh month. He was also born with 1 1/2 lungs too. That's right, one of his lungs isn't formed all the way. Maybe if people had been more informed in the old days about RSV and the dangers of smoking, he would have two normal lungs. Now that we do have the knowledge, wouldn't you like to pass it along?
*This post is in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect.*
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