5 Things You Need to Know About Preventing RSV

1. Practice Good Hygiene

Most children will contract Respiratory Synctial Virus, otherwise known as RSV, at some point in their infancy, although doctors may confuse its symptoms with the common cold. To prevent RSV and complications due to RSV, wash your hands frequently and encourage other people to wash their hands when around your child. Reduce your child's exposure to RSV by limiting contact with sick individuals during RSV season, usually late fall to early spring. If you are sick, let another family member care for your child when possible. Because RSV is as contagious as the common cold, try to avoid areas where large crowds congregate, such as grocery stores and daycare facilities. Clean hard surfaces regularly, especially ones your child touches frequently such as toys and table tops. Don't allow your child to share items like cups or utensils.

2. Breastfeed to Protect Against RSV

If you are pregnant, consider breastfeeding your infant as a means of protecting your child against RSV. Research shows that the beneficial antibodies present in breast milk can boost an infant's immune system to help fight many types of infection including RSV.

3. Stop Smoking

Don't smoke around your child and don't allow others to do so. Residual smoke remains present long after you've extinguished your cigarette. If your child develops RSV, second hand smoke can exacerbate the symptoms and lead to further respiratory complications by compromising the mucus membranes of your child's nose, lungs and sinuses.

4. Immunize Your Child

Keep your child's immunizations current. Especially important is the DTaP, which is the combination shot of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough). Also important is the immunization for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Be sure to speak with your child's doctor if you have any concerns regarding immunizations.

5. Take Your Medicine

You can prevent RSV using prophylactic measures. RSV-IGIV is a protein-rich antibody that physicians administer intravenously to children at risk of developing complications due to RSV. These children might already suffer chronic heart or lung problems or they may have been born prematurely, putting them at greater risk for developing RSV. Complications of RSV lead to bronchitis and pneumonia. Patients receive RSV-IGIV over a period of four hours either in a hospital, a doctor's office or at home. Palivizumab is an alternative and preferred medication to RSV-IGIV. Doctors give Palivizumab as a shot, rather than through an IV port.