Mar
08
2013

Protecting our Kids From RSV

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15

RSV

Making sure that our niños attend a good preschool or even daycare center can always be a bit stressful for us parents. We worry over the location, if it’s a language immersion or not, the method, the caregivers and even of the diversity in the school. After all that is done and our kids are safely and happily attending school, there are still things we can’t plan for, like our little ones coming back home with a cough or a runny nose.

That is why this year we are raising awareness about RSV or  respiratory syncytial virus. RSV is a common virus that affects two-thirds of all infants by the age of one and almost 100% of babies by age two! The reason why it affects so many children is that RSV is highly contagious. Whether  your niños spend a few days out of their week or all week  in a daycare or school setting, they are at risk for contracting germs and viruses, like RSV.

It’s importnat to know the symptoms of RSV in order to take action before it turns into a serious illness. Typically, RSV causes mild to moderate cold-like symptoms but the symptoms of severe RSV can lead to a respiratory infection. Below are the symptoms of severe RSV that 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 over 100.4°F in infants under 3 months of age)

Although we might think our homes are safe from contagious germs and viruses, RSV can live on surfaces like doorknobs, countertops, toys, and bedding for several hours. This means that RSV is spread while our little ones share toys, play, or hug. The bad news is that there is no cure for RSV that is why prevention is key. By washing our hands, our kids’s hands and keeping toys, clothes, blankets, and sheets clean we can prevent the spread of RSV.

RSV season typically runs from November through March. We encourage everyone to check out the info-graphic below and share with friends and family. For more information you can visit the RSV Protection site.

RSV

 {First image by  gemsling }

Disclosure: This is a compensated post with Latina Bloggers Connect. All thoughts are our own.

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