{"id":8119671,"date":"2024-02-01T13:54:43","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T13:54:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/247newsaroundtheworld.com\/?p=8119671"},"modified":"2024-02-01T13:54:48","modified_gmt":"2024-02-01T13:54:48","slug":"how-to-protect-your-little-ones-preventing-rsv-in-infants-and-young-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/247newsaroundtheworld.com\/diseases\/how-to-protect-your-little-ones-preventing-rsv-in-infants-and-young-children\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Protect Your Little Ones: Preventing RSV in Infants and Young Children"},"content":{"rendered":"

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that can cause severe symptoms in infants and young children.<\/strong><\/a> “How to Protect Your Little Ones: Preventing RSV in Infants and Young Children” Leads to a significant number of hospitalizations and, in some cases, even death. In 2019, about 1.4 million infants ages 0\u20136 months globally were hospitalized for episodes of RSV-associated acute lower respiratory infection<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

RSV is the most common cause of infant hospitalizations in high-income countries, with an estimated 58,000-80,000 children younger than 5 years being hospitalized due to RSV infection<\/strong><\/a> in the United States alone<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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How to Protect Your Little Ones: Preventing RSV in Infants and Young Children | Stock Photo<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

RSV infection can lead to serious conditions such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, particularly in high-risk groups, including premature infants, children with chronic lung disease, and those with weakened immune systems<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding RSV and Its Impact<\/h2>\n

RSV is a highly contagious virus that spreads through respiratory droplets. It can cause a range of symptoms, from mild cold-like illness to severe lower respiratory tract infections. Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to RSV, with those under 6 months of age being at the highest risk of developing severe illness.<\/span><\/p>\n

How does RSV affect a baby?<\/h3>\n

According to\u00a0Dr. Danelle Fisher<\/a>, a board-certified pediatrician and Chair of Pediatrics at Providence Saint John\u2019s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, while RSV will cause symptoms of the common cold in older children and adults, it may affect infants and young children differently.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe younger you are, the more chance you have of this virus causing severe respiratory issues, including\u00a0wheezing<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0difficulty breathing,\u201d Dr. Fisher told\u00a0MNT<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of times, even the babies will go apneic<\/a>, which means they pause or stop breathing for a little while. The younger you are, the more dangerous it can be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr. Mohamed Zebda<\/a>, a board-certified pediatrician at the UH Health Family Care Center and clinical associate professor at the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine at the University of Houston, explained to MNT<\/em>:<\/p>\n

\u201cMost children have had RSV at least once\u00a0by the age of 2Trusted Source<\/span><\/span><\/a>. Many children will have mild symptoms. Common symptoms include cough, congestion, runny nose, and fever.\u201d<\/p>\n

How do babies get RSV?<\/h3>\n

RSV\u00a0spreadsTrusted Source<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0both through respiratory droplets when a person coughs or sneezes, as well as contaminated surfaces.<\/p>\n

\u201cRSV can spread from person to person, just like colds and other respiratory viruses,\u201d\u00a0Dr. Kris Bryant<\/a>, a pediatric infectious diseases physician at Norton Children\u2019s in Louisville, Kentucky, and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases explained to\u00a0MNT<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe virus can also live on hard surfaces for many hours, and touching a surface contaminated with the virus and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth is one way infections can occur,\u201d Dr. Bryant continued.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cRSV can also live on hands for 30 minutes or more, so\u00a0handwashing<\/a>\u00a0is important in reducing the spread of this virus.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRSV is spread when a baby inhales droplets from an infected person\u2019s cough or sneeze,\u201d added\u00a0Dr. Moses Olorunnisola<\/a>, a pediatrician with Hackensack Meridian Children\u2019s Health Medical Group in New Jersey.<\/p>\n

\u201cA baby can also contract RSV from direct contact \u2014 if an infected person kisses them on the face, for example. Additionally, If a baby touches a toy or surface that is contaminated, and then touches his or her eyes, mouth, or nose, they can contract RSV,\u201d Dr. Olorunnisola continued.<\/p>\n

Preventive Measures<\/h2>\n
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How to Protect Your Little Ones: Preventing RSV in Infants and Young Children | Stock Photo<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. Everyday Preventive Measures<\/h4>\n