If you’re a mother to a preemie, they might be at risk of RSV, Respiratory Syncytial Virus.
In premature babies born before 36 weeks, a common cold can rapidly develop into a serious respiratory illness requiring medical attention. Preterm (premature) infants (born under 36 weeks) and under 6 months of age are smaller, frailer and far more vulnerable than other babies. They command our constant care and protection, especially during the winter ‘RSV Season’. If your baby is preterm & under 6 months old, the risk for severe lung infection this winter from RSV is higher.
Get your seasonal flu shot and encourage anyone else who will be around a preemie to do the same. That one tiny jab not only protects you from the flu, but also helps you avoid passing on the flu if you practice good hand washing habits.
Keeping preemies safe from RSV, and from other illnesses like colds and the flu, can be hard on parents, but family and friends can make it that much easier. Some extra attention to health and hand washing on your part may be just what it takes to get the family of a premature infant or child through fall and winter cold-, flu-, and RSV-free.
Learn more about how to protect your child, find out more here, here, here, here, here, and here.