Respiratory Infection Nothing to Sneeze At for Preemies
Mon. November 13, 2000 12:00 AM by Newstream
Gaithersburg, MD -
Each year, pediatricians and hospital pediatric units brace themselves for RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) season, when many babies contract RSV and may become seriously ill from this common respiratory infection. Parents of at-risk newborns need to be aware that protection from this potentially harmful virus is available and they should call their doctor for more information.
RSV is a common cause of lower respiratory infections in premature infants. Half of all children develop an RSV infection by the age of one year; by age two, virtually all children have had RSV. For most otherwise healthy children, RSV usually amounts to little more than a cold. However, for at-risk infants, such as infants born prematurely and children under the age of two suffering from chronic lung conditions, the health consequences can be much more serious.
A little known fact is that up to 125,000 children under the age of one year are hospitalized annually due to RSV-related illnesses and up to 2% of these children may die. The cost of treating a child hospitalized for RSV-related illnesses can be over $70,000. This is why it is of the utmost importance that parents take steps to protect their premature babies from RSV.
"RSV is a common infection and is a frequent cause of childhood hospitalization and intensive care unit admissions. In premature babies and infants with lung disease, the virus can produce severe and lasting complications that may place the child's life at risk. Many parents are not aware that their babies are at-risk for RSV, so education about this disease is extremely important. Parents should talk with their pediatrician about ways to help prevent and protect their babies from RSV" said Dr. Stephen A. Chartrand, Professor and Chairman, Department of Pediatrics, Director, Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease at the Creighton University School of Medicine.
RSV spreads easily from person to person via sneezing, coughing, or from contact with a person or object that carries the virus. The chance of spreading the virus within a family is very high. Many times school-aged children introduce the virus into the family. Despite strict infection control procedures, hospital nursery units, day care centers and other similar institutions are also at high-risk for RSV outbreaks.
The symptoms of RSV may be like a cold at first and can include fever, runny nose, and other cold-like symptoms. An infected baby might get sicker very quickly. Symptoms may include: coughing, difficulty breathing, wheezing (a whistling sound), rapid breathing, and a blue color around the lips. Since RSV complications can strike rapidly, parents of at-risk children need to know to act fast - to call their pediatrician or healthcare provider immediately if signs of RSV complications appear.
Simple steps parents can take to help reduce their baby's risk of exposure to the RSV virus include:
· Have family members and caregivers wash their hands with warm water and soap before touching the baby
· Limit the baby's exposure to people with cold symptoms or fevers
· Keep the baby away from crowded places
· Do not smoke around the baby
· Talk to your child's pediatrician about preventive measures and medication
Synagis® (palivizumab), is a medication designed to help prevent RSV. The first monoclonal antibody to be licensed for any infectious disease, Synagis is the only product to deliver safe and effective RSV protection with a simple intramuscular injection, which can be administered in the healthcare provider's office once a month during the RSV season.
The most frequently reported adverse events potentially related to Synagis were fever, nervousness and injection site reaction. Adverse events that occurred in >1% of the Synagis group and for which the incidence was >1% higher than in the placebo group included upper respiratory infection, otitis media, rhinitis, rash, pain, hernia, increase in SGOT and pharyngitis.
For more information about RSV, parents can call 1-877-848-8512.
RSV is a common cause of lower respiratory infections in premature infants. Half of all children develop an RSV infection by the age of one year; by age two, virtually all children have had RSV. For most otherwise healthy children, RSV usually amounts to little more than a cold. However, for at-risk infants, such as infants born prematurely and children under the age of two suffering from chronic lung conditions, the health consequences can be much more serious.
A little known fact is that up to 125,000 children under the age of one year are hospitalized annually due to RSV-related illnesses and up to 2% of these children may die. The cost of treating a child hospitalized for RSV-related illnesses can be over $70,000. This is why it is of the utmost importance that parents take steps to protect their premature babies from RSV.
"RSV is a common infection and is a frequent cause of childhood hospitalization and intensive care unit admissions. In premature babies and infants with lung disease, the virus can produce severe and lasting complications that may place the child's life at risk. Many parents are not aware that their babies are at-risk for RSV, so education about this disease is extremely important. Parents should talk with their pediatrician about ways to help prevent and protect their babies from RSV" said Dr. Stephen A. Chartrand, Professor and Chairman, Department of Pediatrics, Director, Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease at the Creighton University School of Medicine.
RSV spreads easily from person to person via sneezing, coughing, or from contact with a person or object that carries the virus. The chance of spreading the virus within a family is very high. Many times school-aged children introduce the virus into the family. Despite strict infection control procedures, hospital nursery units, day care centers and other similar institutions are also at high-risk for RSV outbreaks.
The symptoms of RSV may be like a cold at first and can include fever, runny nose, and other cold-like symptoms. An infected baby might get sicker very quickly. Symptoms may include: coughing, difficulty breathing, wheezing (a whistling sound), rapid breathing, and a blue color around the lips. Since RSV complications can strike rapidly, parents of at-risk children need to know to act fast - to call their pediatrician or healthcare provider immediately if signs of RSV complications appear.
Simple steps parents can take to help reduce their baby's risk of exposure to the RSV virus include:
· Have family members and caregivers wash their hands with warm water and soap before touching the baby
· Limit the baby's exposure to people with cold symptoms or fevers
· Keep the baby away from crowded places
· Do not smoke around the baby
· Talk to your child's pediatrician about preventive measures and medication
Synagis® (palivizumab), is a medication designed to help prevent RSV. The first monoclonal antibody to be licensed for any infectious disease, Synagis is the only product to deliver safe and effective RSV protection with a simple intramuscular injection, which can be administered in the healthcare provider's office once a month during the RSV season.
The most frequently reported adverse events potentially related to Synagis were fever, nervousness and injection site reaction. Adverse events that occurred in >1% of the Synagis group and for which the incidence was >1% higher than in the placebo group included upper respiratory infection, otitis media, rhinitis, rash, pain, hernia, increase in SGOT and pharyngitis.
For more information about RSV, parents can call 1-877-848-8512.
News, photos provided by Newstream