Showing posts with label RSV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RSV. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
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Every year, as we
head into the fall, parents being gearing up for the upcoming cold and flu
season. Parents of preemies and
other babies with chronic diseases have another virus they need to be concerned
about: RSV.
Respiratory Syncytial
Virus (RSV) is an infection that can cause bronchiolitis and pneumonia in very
young infants, particularly those under the age of 1. Preemies, babies under the age of 2 who have congenital
heart disease or chronic lung disease, and children with compromised immune
systems are at the highest risk for severe illness. As a result, it’s important to protect
your preemie as much as possible so they do not become infected with RSV.
RSV is transmitted
through similar ways as a cold.
When someone coughs or sneezes, airborne droplets can infect someone who
inhales them or comes in direct contact with them another way, via the eyes,
nose, or mouth. You can also
become infected with the virus through indirect contact with a contaminated
surface, such as a doorknob, and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with
your hand.
Preventative measures
are similar to measures used to avoid infection from colds and influenza. Good hand hygiene should be practiced:
wash thoroughly for a minimum of 15-20 seconds with soap and water, or use
alcohol-based hand sanitizers before handling your preemie, especially after
blowing your nose or coughing into your hands. Avoid those who are sick, and ask people who are ill to
avoid visits until they are no longer contagious. If you need to take your preemie out in public, baby
wearing, either in a carrier or wrap, can help deter the general public from
trying to touch your child, or you can purchase a small stop sign to hang on
the handle of your infant seat (or attach to your stroller) that says “Please
wash your hands before touching mine.”
You can purchase a sign at My Tiny Hands or Its a Preemie Thing
Some preemies will
qualify for an antibody shot (Synagis) to help protect them from RSV infection. Synagis works like the flu shot in that
it will help lessen the severity of symptoms if RSV infection occurs, but it will
not completely prevent infection from happening. Synagis is given monthly throughout the duration of RSV
season for your area.
The CDC website is a
fabulous source of information on RSV.
The following are links to specific pages that may be helpful to you as
you journey through the season:
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Whether it’s for a trip to the doctor or a walk around the block to maintain your sanity, you will need to ta
ke your precious little one outside at some point. It can be scary, and it’s true, germs are everywhere! Without being total germaphobes (ok we are a little!) these are the steps we have taken to try to keep our preemie protected when we are out and about.
- First and foremost- HAND hygiene. Hands are the biggest germ magnets. I am washing my hands constantly and make everyone else do it to. When I’m out I rely on hand sanitizer a lot. I have one attached to the handle of each diaper bag, in both cars, and by my door when I come in to the house.
- I am very careful about germ magnets (doorknobs, hand rails, money, elevator buttons). I try to open doors with my elbow or sleeve when possible or I will use hand sanitizer after touching these things.
- We do go out, but stay outdoors for the most part and avoid closed off, indoor spaces with lots of ppl including indoor malls, grocery stores, and pharmacies (I think pharmacies are the worst!).
- When LO is in his stroller or carseat I think of this as the “safe baby realm” (this is what our NICU considers the isolettes and anything that touches baby) when my hands enter the realm I sanitizer first. As long as they are only in that realm, I’m good, but when I touch anything outside, I re-sanitize.
- To remind myself, I leave a hand sanitizer on his lap when he’s in the stroller (he’s too young to grab for it yet!). You could also attach one to the stroller handle.
- While out, I wear LO a lot. Having him right on my chest in a sling or carrier means that I can head off well-wishers that want to touch him. Most of the time, ppl just don’t go for him because he’s right on my boobs :o).
- When LO is in the carseat or stroller while out, I put an A+A blanket over it. I consider this blanket the “dirty” blanket and will touch it with non- sanitized hands to block a ray of sunshine from his eyes or quickly cover him up as a gaggle of cheek pinchers approaches.
- If we’re out and someone (sweet old lady, friend’s non-sick kid) REALLY wants to touch him I try to direct them to his feet. I can say “I know, he’s so cute, look at these tiny toes!” or to the child “you can tickle his toes.” This keeps them away from his hands and face. If we meet up with close, not sick friends, that want to hold him, I make them sanitize first.
- When we get home I wash my hands well, throw the “dirty” blanket in the hamper and then wipe down LO’s hands and face with a warm washcloth.
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