Premature infants at risk for virus

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common cause of lower respiratory infection in premature infants. For most otherwise healthy children, RSV usually amounts to little more than a cold.

However, for at-risk infants, such as infants born prematurely and children under the age of 2 and suffering from chronic lung conditions, the health consequences can be much more serious.

"RSV is a very common infection, and is a frequent cause of hospitalization for infants during the winter," said Dr. Jay M. Lieberman, chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach.

"Young children who were born prematurely or have lung problems are at particularly high risk for developing severe disease. These infants may require admission to the intensive care unit and the infection may place their life at risk. Many parents are not aware that their babies are at-risk for severe RSV disease, so education about the virus is extremely important. Parents should talk with their child’s doctor about ways to help protect their child from RSV."

Symptoms of RSV may mimic a cold at first and can include fever, runny nose and other cold-like symptoms.

Since RSV complications can strike rapidly, parents of at-risk children need to know to act fast – to call their pediatrician or healthcare provider immediately if signs of RSV complications appear.

Simple steps parents can take to help reduce their baby’s risk of exposure to the RSV virus include:

Have family members and caregivers wash their hands with warm water and soap before touching the baby.

Limit the baby’s exposure to people with cold symptoms or fevers.

Keep the baby away from crowded places.

Never smoke around the baby.

Talk to your child’s pediatrician about preventive measures and medication.

For more information about RSV, parents can call (877) 848-8512 or visit on the Internet www.rsvprotection.com.