RSV season

Today, I went in for my first RSV shot.

As a preemie, I was born with Chronic Lung Disease. I was on a high-frequency ventilator for several months and even received steroid breathing treatments in the hospital. We preemies are more susceptible to the many viruses and diseases out there just because we were born too small, too early. Of course mommy and daddy aren't smokers. But they made sure that NO ONE smoked around mommy while I was in her tummy. Even now, we ask family and friends to refrain from smoking if they plan on visiting me. For the next 2 years or so, I have to go to a clinic to get a synagis shot EVERY month during RSV season. The shot is given every 28-30 days during the season. In California this year, RSV season runs from October through April of 2009. So that's a total of 7 shots of synagis for me. (These shots really hurt too...the needles are SO long!!)

RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus, which is the #1 cause of hospitalization in babies under a year. Synagis is the only medication shown to reduce hospitalizations from RSV infections in high risk infants. Even as preemies start to look healthy and strong, their lungs remain smaller and less developed than those of full-term babies. That's what puts preemies at greater risk for a severe lung infection from respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.

Babies that are at a greater risk for severe RSV disease:

* babies born prematurely at 35 weeks or less

* babies born with heart disease

* babies with chronic lung disease

If the baby already has one or more of the risk factors listed above, the following risk factors may also apply:

* being around other children (at home or in daycare. If there are toddlers and children in the house, make sure they wash their hands before they touch the baby)
* family history of asthma
* exposure to tobacco smoke and other air pollutants (Never let anyone smoke around your baby)

* multiple births (twins, triplets and other multiples are often premature and have a low birth weight)

* low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds)

* crowding (four or more family members in the house)

* young age (age since birth is less than 3 months at the start of or during RSV season)

Symptoms of a severe RSV infection:

* persistent coughing

* wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)

* rapid breathing

* problems breathing, or gasping for breath

* a bluish color around the mouth or fingernails

* a fever greater than 100.4 F rectal is a cause for cconcern

RSV can cause severe lung infections

RSV is a common, seasonal and easily spread virus that infects nearly all children by their second birthday. Most kids just get moderate t severe cold-like symptoms. However, some babies, especially preemies yonger than 12 months and babies witj heart or lung conditions, may get severe RSV disease. This could lead to:

* severe lung infection, like pneumonia

* life-threatening breathing problems

* hospitalization

How easy is it to catch RSV?

Almost as easy as breathing. Like a common cold, RSV can spread by sneezing and coughing or by physical contact such as kissing, touching or shaking hands. Unlike cold viruses, RSV can live up to 6 hours on countertops and other surfaces, and spreads very quickly in daycare centers and crowded households.

How serious is RSV?

Most kids just get moderate to severe cold-like symptoms. In its severe form, RSV can be life-threatening. On average, approximately 10 times more infants die from RSV than from the flu each year. Up to 125,000 babies are hospitalized with RSV annually.

((More info on RSV from www.synagis.com))