Know the Facts and Protect Your Kids - MedImmune RSV Awareness

I am surprised to say that when Tobin was a baby I was not aware of RSV. Maybe it's because he was born during the summer so it wasn't a threat, but RSV is something every parent should know about and know the signs. When Noah was born, RSV season was still going strong so the pediatrician warned me strongly to keep my baby inside and away from crowds. What surprised me was that she told me to watch out for RSV but never told me the signs and symptoms of RSV. Did you know that Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common, seasonal virus that affects two-thirds of all infants by age one and almost 100% of babies by age 2? I had no idea! It's highly contagious and the germs can live on surfaces for hours. So being in a situation where toys, tables, and high chairs are shared, such as in a preschool or daycare, can really increase the risk of RSV. Since it is estimated that 82% of U.S. children ages 6 weeks to 6 years old spend some time in a daycare or preschool setting, the risk of being exposed to contagious germs and viruses is increased. Which is why it is so important to keep your children healthy and germ-free. Here are some of my tips:

-Always wash hands and use hand sanitizer, especially before and after eating, playing with toys, and going to the bathroom. 
-If your child is sick (even if it's just a runny nose), keep them home. They may seem fine but they could get someone else sick. 
-Stay away from others who are sick, even if it's just a cold.
-Always wipe down tables, high chairs, shopping carts, etc. Use tablecloths, shopping cart covers, and high chair covers whenever possible (and wash them often).
    
It's so important that everyone knows the facts of RSV:

I was surprised to realize how common RSV really is and that a lot of the signs are mild to moderate cold-like symptoms. Tobin has had lots of colds but I never took him to the doctor just for a cold, so there is a good chance he probably had RSV. If your child has mild symptoms of RSV, the virus will most likely just run its course and there's no need to worry. What is important to remember is that even if your child only has a mild case, it is still HIGHLY contagious and could spread to others who may be high-risk for developing a serious infection from RSV. So know the facts of RSV and if your child has symptoms, talk to your doctor and definitely stay away from others. 

My two boys are my life and I cannot imagine life without them. I have had several friends who have had children with RSV. I saw how scary and life threatening this virus really can be, but I didn't even realize until a few months ago that even though I knew about RSV, I did not know the facts and the signs and symptoms. A few months ago, Noah started wheezing a lot and I was scared that it might be RSV. The only problem was that I had no idea what the signs and symptoms even were! I was surprised that I did not know what to look for since this was my 2nd child, but I have never once had anyone tell me the symptoms of RSV...just that I should be aware of RSV and how scary it was. So I called my doctor and they were able to tell me what to look for and I did end up taking Noah in, but fortunately it was just drainage from an ear infection and was not RSV. It was still scary thinking that he might have RSV and I now realize how important it is for everyone to know the facts and to know the signs and symptoms of RSV. So here are some important signs and symptoms of RSV that you should not ignore and require immediate medical attention:

 -Coughing or wheezing that does not stop

 -Fast or troubled breathing

 -Spread-out nostrils and/or a caved-in chest when trying to breathe

 -Bluish color around the mouth or fingernails

 -Fever (especially if it is over100.4°F in infants under 3 months of age)

RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalizations every year and is responsible for over 500 infant deaths each year. I know of a few families who have lost children due to complications of RSV and it is so scary to think about. RSV is a virus and there is no treatment for it which is why it is so important to try and prevent it. Some of the things you can do to try and prevent RSV is wash hands, toys, and bedding frequently. Also avoid crowds, cigarette smoke, and people who are sick. 

I never realized how contagious RSV is. Tobin goes to preschool and he has gotten sick a lot since he started. He has had several colds and I never realized that he could be carrying the RSV virus and could infect my precious baby or other kids. Now I am doing everything I can to protect my kids and prevent RSV. 

Learn the facts and protect your kids. Visit www.RSVProtection.com and follow #RSVProtection on Twitter for more information.

**I wrote this review while participating in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of MedImmune and I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.**