If your baby is leaving the NICU and going home over the
winter months, remember it’s the season for cold, flu and RSV.
These winter viruses can make fragile babies very, very
sick. Here’s what you need to know:
-
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a very common virus. For an average
healthy child, RSV is basically a cold resulting in a runny nose and fever. But
this virus can make a premature baby very sick.
- Each year, 125,000 babies are hospitalized with RSV. If you
go home during the winter season, be sure to call your doctor immediately if
your baby has the following symptoms: coughing, wheezing, rapid breathing or
gasping for breath. RSV symptoms worsen quickly and can be life-threatening.
- When a premature baby contracts RSV during their first
winter home, chances are good they will be re-hospitalized. RSV spreads quickly
by physical contact (shaking hands or kissing an infected person) or even by simply
being in the same room as someone who is coughing or sneezing. If you are
exposed to RSV, you can pass the illness to others even if you have no
symptoms.
One of the most important things you can do for your baby is
to do your best to keep them healthy:
- Have everyone wash hands thoroughly before
touching or holding your baby, and use hand sanitizer often. Children are
exposed to many contagious germs and spread them easily, so make a habit of
having siblings wash their hands as soon as they come home from school or
daycare. And, be sure they know how to use hand sanitizer.
- Keep your baby away from crowds. No family
reunions, parties, shopping malls, church nurseries or large daycare settings
during your first winter home.
- Keep people with colds away. Put a sign on your
door asking friends to call before visiting so you can be sure they are not ill.
- Do not smoke around your baby or allow smokers
to hold your baby without properly washing hands and arms and putting on clean,
smoke-free clothing. Smoke lingers on clothing and in hair and can disrupt your
baby’s breathing. Please speak with your social worker if you would like
additional information about the effects of smoke on premature babies.
- There is a monthly RSV vaccine called Synagis available
for at-risk babies. If your baby is in a high-risk group, they will receive a
first dose of Synagis before discharge and follow-up doses from your
pediatrician. Please speak with your baby’s doctor or nurse to find out if your
baby qualifies for Synagis.
- Finally, everyone in your home and anyone who
will be caring for your baby should receive a flu shot. The flu, like RSV, can
put your baby back in the hospital. Your baby is too small to receive a flu
shot, but you can and should.
About Team NICU 101

CHKD is home to the region’s largest and most sophisticated neonatal intensive care unit, certified by the state as a subspecialty nursery. We provide intensive care for high-risk, critically-ill neonates and care for approximately 500 babies a year.