I posted about RSV on 8/21/09 so some of you may remember it because it was crucial information pertaining to Baby Kevin.
It is a very important matter: RSV. For those of you who plan to visit us over the next few months, and even if you are not, please take a few minutes to read this.I want to start by saying that we are so very blessed by Savannah’s progress and we’re so grateful to be surrounded by family and friends who have lifted us up in prayer and provided so much love and support.
I posted yesterday that Savannah got synagis shots. She got those shots to help her fight off RSV. Her doctors and nurses have been doing their best to make sure we understand the importance of placing Savannah on “preemie lockdown”. Savannah is so much stronger but she is still fragile and more susceptible to viruses. If you are not aware of RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, you are among the majority. I had not heard of RSV until the NICU. Most people have not heard of RSV, even though nearly every child has had the virus by age two. For full-term babies, RSV typically is not any worse than a common cold, but for preemies, the virus can be extremely different. Babies born earlier than 36 weeks are at the highest risk for serious complications like pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and other sometimes fatal complications. RSV for a preemie means another trip back to the nicu.Savannah falls into a high risk category for contracting RSV and developing serious complications. This website offers a great visual comparison of a preemie’s lungs compared to the lungs of a full-term baby: http://www.preemiecare.org/LungsTrees03-4.pdf
Preventing the spread of RSV is very difficult. Thus, we must be vigilant about keeping our children safe during RSV season (November through April). The virus is spread through physical contact, in the air via a cough or sneeze, or by touching an infected object. The virus 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 Savannah was pre-term, she did not acquire the necessary immunities to fight off infection. If she contracts RSV, she could be hospitalized and develop serious complications. She will require RSV shots (synagis shots) once a month (until the end of April), but even with the shots she will still be at risk.
We’ll be asking our visitors to follow a few guidelines to help prevent Savannah from contracting RSV or any other illness. There are as follows:
1. When you arrive, please wash your hands and use hand-sanitizer as needed before touching or holding Savannah.
2. Please, if it is possible, get a flu shot.
3. Please refrain from coming over if you are currently sick and have not been symptom-free for at least 3 days, if you live with someone who is currently sick, or have been in close contact with someone who is sick.
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.
5. If you are parents to a baby or toddler who are in daycare, please refrain from bringing them to our house during RSV season. Savannah will up for play dates later :)
6. If you have allergies, and are sneezing or coughing, please visit us another time. You may say but it’s just allergies!? Well allergies can evolve into a respiratory infection. There is a fine line between allergies and something that is contagious. We’d rather not take that potential risk.
Unfortunately we will not be attending many events during RSV season. Our goal is to make it through this RSV season without the Savannah contracting RSV or any other serious illness. Her lungs are still very fragile and are expected to be until she is 2-years-old.
Once Savannah is discharged she will still be seen periodically by the following the doctors:
- Pediatrician
- Pulmonologist
- Cardiologist
- GI doctor
- Occupational/Physical therapists
Savannah has come a long way! But she is still a 27 weeker who weighed only 2lbs. She is still working to overcome a weakened immune system, immature lungs, a small PDA (it hasn’t closed yet), reflux and just all the medical concerns of being premature.
Please understand that this post is not meant to offend anyone, just simply to educate you and warn you about the mother bear side. As her parents, it is our job to protect her and we of course will do so. We hope you understand, and we appreciate your help keeping our babies safe. We are so happy that Savannah is progressing and we want to do our best to provide a safe environment. I look forward to exploring the world with Savannah but during RSV we will have to put it on hold.
Here are several resources with additional information about RSV:
http://www.preemiecare.org/rsv_resourceshtm.htm
http://www.rsvprotection.com/
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/docs/RSV.pdf
http://www.rsvinfo.com/
http://www.mostonline.org/preemieBB/viewforum.php?f=82
Again thank you so much for your love, support and prayers.
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Very well said Alicia ... you are a true Mother and don't let that guard down for anyone.. if they can't take the questioning re. their health and do all that is required eg. staying away if unsure then they don't really care for you or Savannah ... staying away at this time will mean that they will have years to spend with her.
ReplyDeleteOh and by the way I do suggest that they still refrain from holding her as you can't know where they went between home and there and the cleanness of their clothes, as all it takes is someone to have stood behind them in a line and cough or sneeze and the germ is in their clothes...I will be praying that her health remain 100% all the way ...Love ya Mother Bear
"When you arrive, please wash your hands and use hand-sanitizer as needed before touching or holding Savannah. "
ReplyDeleteOR BE TAZED. :)
"The virus can live as long as six hours on hands and up to twelve hours on objects"
Good stuff to know.
I find the medical sites stop short of giving prudent advice for high risk cases. Personally, one should put on clean clothes AND stop nowhere before visiting. Preferable not the woolly, sweater-ish, "I collect dust, pollen and germs by the pound, in my thousand pockets" type of cloths. For those potentially doing any holding, clean hands are, to me, almost futile if the clothing a child is leaning their hands and face against is a mat of accumulated germs. Bugs from work, store etc.
Single use paper towels for drying hands can help reduce the spread of germs versus a towel.
LU.
Ha Lisa!
ReplyDeleteI agree. We related? :) I wrote this last night and fell asleep before hitting "post comment" so I did that this AM. Almost an echo. LU.
:) I missed this post as I only saw the one from the evening. I normally only see 1 a day.
ReplyDeleteAll well said. I'm sure you're glad you don't have any pets right now too. At least you don't have to send them to a kennel or something to quarantine the house. Pet dander is a big thing. I remember when Ale was a baby, and the doctor said he believed she was having allergies from pets. He mentioned getting her shots or prescriptions for the allergies. Not an option. Sticking our child unnecessarily, or putting even more chemicals in her. Hard as it was, we gave up the pet, hopefully to a good home. You try to do the best you can, but our child came first. Ale was not preemie and we still had that to deal with so I can understand.
I'm sure our kids could have pets now, though we haven't (except for fish) but that's just it. Had to get through that season of life first.
Love you and praying all the best.