RSV education and awarenss for healthcare providers, community workers, and parents.

2.  Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a major
cause of respiratory illness in infants less
than 1 year old
› RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis
and pneumonia in children under the age of 1
year
› Each year, RSV hospitalizes up to 125,000
children under the age of 1 year
› RSV affects almost all children by their second
birthday
› RSV is a seasonal illness usually lasting from fall
to early spring (November-April)

3.  Most infants have
symptoms similar to
other respiratory
infections:
› Coughing
› Sneezing
› Runny nose
› Fever
› Decreased appetite
› Wheezing
 Very young infants
may only experience
these symptoms:
› Irritability
› Decreased activity
› Breathing difficulties
 Fast breathing
 Nostril flaring
 Caving in of chest
› Bluish color around
mouth or fingernails

4.  Illness usually begins 4 to 6
days after exposure
 May begin with runny nose
and decreased appetite
 Coughing, sneezing, and
fever usually develop 1 to 3
days later
 Full recovery from illness is
usually 1 to 2 weeks

5.  All Infants under the age of 1 year
are at risk
 Those with increased risk:
› Children less than 2 years with chronic
lung disease
 Weaker lungs cannot fight infection
› Children less than 2 years with
congenital heart disease
 Weaker hearts cannot fight infection
› Children with compromised immune
systems
 Weaker immune systems cannot fight
infection

6.  Those with increased risk:
› Infants who were born at or
before 35 weeks gestation
 Preterm lungs take longer to
develop
 Preterm infants have weak
immune systems
› Infants 12 weeks or younger at
the beginning of RSV season
(typically November)
› Infants who have preschool or
school-aged siblings
› Infants who attend daycare

7.  Those with increased risk:
› Infants who live with 4 or more family
members
› Infants who are exposed to tobacco smoke
› Infants who are twins, triplets, or other
multiples
› Infants born less than 5 ½ pounds
› Infants with a family history of wheezing or
asthma

8.  The best way to prevent the spread of
RSV is to WASH YOUR HANDS!
 Keep infants away from those who are
sick or who have cold-like symptoms
 Do not let your infant share bottles, cups,
pacifiers, and eating utensils with others
(including parents)

9.  Do not let others kiss your baby
 Wash your children’s
clothes, towels, blankets, bedding, and
toys often
 Limit visiting areas with large crowds
during the cold, winter months
 Never let anyone smoke around your
baby

10.  For those with increased risk due to
chronic illness or being born premature:
› In addition to the other suggestions, you
should keep your infant away from other
infants and children if possible
 Limit time siblings spend around the infant
 Avoid taking your infant to settings such as
daycare and church
 Avoid taking your infant to places with large
crowds, such as Wal-Mart or sporting events

11.  For those with increased risk due to
chronic illness or being born premature:
› Ask your doctor about a medication called
SYNAGIS
 Does not prevent RSV infection, but helps
protect your infant from severe RSV infections
that may lead to hospitalization or death
 Contains virus-fighting antibodies
 Given by injection every 28 days throughout
RSV season
 Important to stay on schedule in order to provide
your infant with best protection

12.  If you think your baby has RSV, call your
doctor as soon as possible or seek
emergency medical attention
 Remember the best way to prevent the
spread of RSV is to WASH YOUR HANDS!

13.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013).
Respiratory syncytial virus. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html
 World Health Organization. (2009). Clean care is safer care.
Retrieved from http://www.who.int/gpsc/en/
 Synagis Palivizumab. (2013). Retrieved from
https://www.synagis.com/