Infant Breathing - Respiratory Syncytial Virus
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Parents have plenty to worry about, and infant breathing is high on the list of parental concerns. Even perfectly normal infant breathing can sound irregular and peculiar, with its squeaks and whistles. Sometimes it is difficult to tell when regular becomes abnormal and how to sort out the many possible infant breathing problems there are.
One such problem you’ve probably heard of is Respiratory Syncytial Virsus, better known as RSV. You may have read about RSV in parenting publications or information in your doctor’s office. However, you may not know much about this virus, which is a very common one and affects many infants annually.
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What is RSV?
RSV usually causes mild cold-like symptoms in children and adults, but premature babies or those with lung or heart problems can get very sick if they catch this virus as infants.
According to RSVProtection.com, premature babies have lungs that are not fully developed and may lack antibodies that would help them fight off this virus. RSV sends about 125,000 infants in the US to the hospital – in fact, RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization. Severe RSV may cause as many as 500 infant deaths annually in the US and may cause long-term problems like asthma.
While RSV season usually begins in the fall and goes through spring, it can change, and may run year-round in some areas of the US.
Symptoms of RSV
RSV usually manifests itself in cold-like symptoms: fever and runny nose. In some babies, though, the symptoms can get worse very quickly. Careful monitoring of any cold symptoms is essential. If your baby has persistent coughing, rapid breathing, is gasping for breath, wheezing, or is blue around the mouth, get medical attention right away.
Risk Factors
RSV is a common virus, but some babies are more at-risk for getting the virus or developing serious complications. Premature babies (born more than 4 weeks early), babies with certain kinds of lung and heart problems, low birth weight babies (below 5 ½ pounds), going to daycare, having school-aged siblings, being exposed to air pollutants and tobacco smoke, having a family history of asthma, and being one of a multiple birth are all risk factors.
Knowledge is Power
While there is nothing you can do to control some risk factors, you can certainly keep your baby away from indoor air pollutants like tobacco smoke. Being aware of the possible complications from RSV shouldn’t be a cause for panic, but don’t ignore them.
If you notice any of the danger signs, consult your healthcare provider right away. Your pediatrician no doubt has more information that can help you to recognize and avoid this common, but potentially very dangerous, infant breathing problem.
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my son was in hospital at 3 wks with this he ws in for 5 days on iv anti biotics n oxygen n all the other stuff but my main worry now that his getting it again its so horrible wen ya see ur child like it i hope its not gonna me casee
This Virus is very very daunting for new and seasoned parents. I recently went through a 5 day stay in the hospital with my youngest daughter who was only four months old at the time. One thing that is key in a situation like this is knowledge!!!!! Knowledge is power. From your first intial sign you see get a move on it. Right now my child is once again going through the this virus again dispite all of my precautions I have taken. The only difference between this time and the last is I am more aware of what to expect and What I must do. RSV seems to remain the same every time it comes. One thing I have learned though is that no matter who has a cold sniffle or sneeze they must stay far away. From here on out my child will become the bubble child because no one will be able to touch or hoover to close unless the have been screened like he TSA.
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Pierre Clark 3 years ago
Thank you for this very informative article and I can certainly reiterate the info you present. we are just going home from the hospital with our baby daughter Courtney after a 5-day stay due to the RSV virus. Courtney is five weeks old, was a few weeks premature, exhibited all the symptoms you outlined in the article and we made the decision on seeing the symptoms to take her to the Emergency Room clinic. They tested her, found the RSV virus, and admitted her right away. She stayed on IV, oxygen, and heart-rate oxygenation monitors for five days; the doctors told us there is no known cure for RSV, that the virus just has to run its course. The irony is that baby Courtney's immune system, in fighting off the virus, was drowning her lungs and nasal passages with mucus created by the antibodies attacking the virus. She had to be constantly suctioned so that we could get the mucus out of her system and clear her breathing passages. I fear that many parents, seeing the cold-like symptoms in their newborn, will just think that giving her cold medicine will be enough to arrest the virus. We were told by the doctors that there are no medicines that can cure or arrest this common cold virus, and that for that reason this virus is especially dangerous for infants. If you have a newborn and see these symptoms I urge you to get your baby to a clinic or emergency room immediately so that proper medical procedures may be initiated for her.