What is RSV ? How to Protect Your Child from the RSV Virus

What is RSV ? This post was sponsored by AstraZeneca as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

As a mom there is simply no worse feeling than seeing your child sick. We want our children to be happy and healthy each and every day and it’s our job to protect them as best we can. One of the biggest threat’s to a babies health during the colder months is contracting the RSV virus. That’s why October is National RSV Awareness Month, a time to educate parents about the signs and symptoms of RSV and how they can help prevent it.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

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Did you know that RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a contracted by nearly 100 percent of infants by the age of two! That’s an astounding number, but there is a big difference between contracting RSV and becoming seriously ill from RSV. Understanding how the disease is spread and recognizing the symptoms early on can help protect your child and even save their life. \

National RSV Awareness Month takes place every October, with the aim to make parents more aware of the signs of RSV disease as well as preventative measures they should take. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization for babies in the US during their first year of life, up to 125,000 babies each year. Even scarier, it’s the cause of around 200 infant deaths every year.

RSV Symptoms in Infants

What are the signs and symptoms you should look out for?

persistent coughing or wheezing
fast or troubled breathing
bluish color around the mouth or fingernails
fever, especially if over 100.4 in infants under 3 months of age (rectal)

How can you help prevent RSV disease?

wash your hands frequently and remind your children and others to do the same
sanitize your child’s toys, blankets, clothing and other belongings regularly
visit your child’s pediatrician to find out if he or she is at risk

RSV Treatment

There is currently no treatment for RSV once contracted, so it’s essential that you take every measure to protect your child.
Read more on the RSV virus at the RSV Protection site and learn more on how to keep your child healthy this season