RSV Precautions!!!

RSV PRECAUTIONS

It is now time for us to make an important public service announcement regarding visiting the babies and RSV. Most people have not heard of RSV, which stands for respiratory syncytial virus, even though nearly every child has had it by age two. For full-term babies, RSV typically isn't any worse than a common cold, but for preemies, RSV is quite serious. Babies born earlier than 36 weeks are at the highest risk for serious complications from RSV such as pneumonia, asthma, bronchiolitis and other sometimes fatal complications. Ella, Joel, and Grace were born 10 weeks premature (multiples) and had low birth weights. These are among the highest risk factors for contracting RSV.

Preventing the spread of RSV is very difficult, so we're going to have to be extremely vigilant about keeping our babies safe during RSV season (October through April). The virus is spread through physical contact, in the air via a cough or sneeze, or by touching an infected object. RSV can live as long as six hours on hands and up to twelve hours on objects and it spreads very easily, especially from child to child. Studies have also shown that infants pose an even higher risk of spreading RSV to others. You may ask “Can’t they fight it off and build up their immune system? Kids need to get sick, right?” The simple answer is NO! Since our babies were pre-term, they did not acquire the necessary immunities to effectively fight off infection. And even more importantly, their respiratory tracts were not fully mature when they were born. Their lungs missed a very critical developmental period.If Joel, Ella, or Grace contracts RSV, they could be hospitalized, develop one of the complications mentioned above, or die.

In order to try to prevent Ella, Joel, and Grace from getting RSV or any other illness, our doctors strongly recommend that all visitors follow these guidelines when coming to see them between now and the end of April:

1. When you arrive, please wash your hands and use hand-sanitizer.

2. If you are a close relative or close friend who could potentially visit often, please get a flu shot.

3. Please refrain from coming over if you are sick, or were sick and have not been symptom-free for at least 5 days. Also if you live with someone who is sick, or have been in close contact with someone who is sick, please refrain from visiting.

4. If you smoke, we ask that you change your clothing and refrain from smoking prior to visiting, as a preemie’s lungs are very sensitive to smoke. Most RSV sites recommend against passive smoke exposure (including smoke that is in clothing).

5. If you are a parent to a baby or toddler, please refrain from bringing them to our house during RSV season.

6. Please refrain from touching the babies, unless invited.

We do not mean to offend anyone, or to be "those parents". We simply want you to understand why we are being so incredibly cautious. Thank you all for your understanding! Please also note that during RSV season, we will not be taking the babies out in public until the end of April. We will be safe snuggled in our home!

Just an extra reminder: the best way to prevent illness is by WASHING YOUR HANDS OFTEN and NOT TOUCHING YOUR FACE!

If you work with my wonderful husband and you are not feeling well--Please avoid him until you are feeling better! THANK YOU!!!

(RSV info borrowed from the blog of a fellow mother of multiples)