Hispanic Babies at Increased Risk of Developing Severe Seasonal Illness: Learn the ABCs of RSV #ABCsofRSV

This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with MedImmune and Latina Bloggers Connect.

Once in a while, I am asked to write posts to bring awareness. This is one of those posts. I have written about Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) before and it is important to keep trying to get the word out. RSV is a common, seasonal virus contracted by nearly 100 percent of babies by their second birthday. Although RSV is extremely common, many parents are unaware of the dangers that RSV presents to their children. In fact, two-thirds of Hispanic mothers have never heard of RSV, and one in five Hispanic moms only becomes aware of RSV once their child has contracted the virus.

The RSV virus can lead to mild respiratory infections but it can become more serious especially in some preemies. So it is important to get the word out to everyone especially the African-American and Hispanic communities because babies born into those communities are at increased risk of developing severe RSV disease. Currently, one in eight Hispanic babies is born premature and it is likely that high prematurity rates are a reason for increased risk of RSV within Hispanic communities.

Learning the ABCs of RSV is a simple way to keep your family healthy during RSV season. Here are the ABC's. Pass this along!

A is for Awareness:
RSV is a common seasonal virus, contracted by nearly all children by the age of two, and typically causes mild to moderate cold-like symptoms in healthy, full-term babies. Preterm infants, however, are born with undeveloped lungs and immature immune systems that put them at heightened risk for developing severe RSV disease, often requiring hospitalization.

* RSV occurs in epidemics each year, typically from November through March, though it can vary by geography and year-to-year
* RSV disease is the leading cause of hospitalization for babies during their first year of life in the United States, with approximately 125,000 hospitalizations and up to 400 infant deaths each year
* RSV disease is responsible for one of every 13 pediatrician visits and one of every 38 trips to the ER in children under the age of five
* Despite being so common, many parents aren’t aware of RSV; in fact, one-third of mothers (and two-thirds of Hispanic mothers) have never heard of the virus

B is for Babies:
* Premature babies—defined as those born before 37 weeks gestation—are most at risk for developing severe RSV disease because they have underdeveloped lungs and fewer antibodies to fight the virus than babies born full term.
* Amongst Hispanics, the preterm birth rate has grown six percent over the last decade. Currently one in eight Hispanic babies is born premature and it is likely that high prematurity rates are a reason for increased risk of RSV within Hispanic communities.

C is for Contagious:
RSV is very contagious and can be spread easily through touching, sneezing and coughing. Additionally, the virus can live on the skin and surfaces for hours. Learn the symptoms of severe RSV disease and contact your child’s pediatrician immediately if your child exhibits one or more of the following:

* Persistent coughing or wheezing
* Bluish color around the mouth or fingernails
* Rapid, difficult, or gasping breaths
* Fever [especially if it is over 100.4°F (rectal) in infants under 3 months of age]

Once RSV is contracted there is no treatment. So it is so important for parents to know about RSV and how to prevent it. Prevention is the key. Taking your baby to a pediatrician and asking questions is critical for parents. RSV can also be prevented by taking common sense steps like washing your hands, avoid putting your baby into situations where germs can spread, washing toys and blankets and keeping anyone who is sick away from your baby. These are things that should be done to avoid any illness and during RSV season it is so important to think about these things.

For more information about RSV and prevention, visit www.RSVprotection.com. Please visit the page if you have a baby or know of someone who does. It might save a life.