Lancaster Pediatric Associates

RSV…What is it, and should I be worried?

Those infants with a higher risk for severe RSV infection include:

12 weeks old or younger at the start of RSV season
Premature or low birth weight infants (especially those born before 29 weeks gestation)
Chronic lung disease from prematurity
Babies with certain types of heart defects
Those with weak immune systems due to illness or treatments
Additional risk factors for severe RSV infections include low birth weight, having siblings, a mother's smoking during pregnancy, exposure to secondhand smoke in the home, history of allergies and eczema, not breastfeeding, and being around children in a child care setting or living in crowded living conditions.

Make sure everyone in your family is up to date on their COVID and flu vaccines; this will protect not only them but also vulnerable infants around them who are too young to be vaccinated.
Encourage masks with visitors in your home. Do not allow visitors to come see your baby if they are sick or recently exposed. Do not allow visitors to kiss your infant.
If your baby is premature, consider keeping them home and holding off on any visitors for the time being.
Breastfeeding your infant can provide additional protection against RSV and other respiratory illnesses.
Avoid exposing your children to smoke, as this increases their risk of severe RSV infection as well as asthma exacerbations.
Wear your mask when in groups; this will protect not only from COVID but from flu and other respiratory illnesses.
Keep your kids home from school if they have any symptoms of illness.
Use the emergency department only for true emergencies; if in doubt, talk with your PCP to determine what the best place to receive care is. If you believe your child is having a true emergency, do not hesitate to take them to the emergency room; they are very busy but will never turn a child away.