Did you know that most babies get Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) before their second birthday? RSV is a common virus that affects the lungs and breathing passages. Symptoms to watch for include coughing, fever, irritability, a runny nose, sneezing, and difficulty breathing. If you notice these signs, especially if your baby is very young or has trouble breathing, seek medical attention.
While many babies experience mild, cold-like symptoms, some babies, especially those born preterm or with certain health conditions, are at higher risk for severe illness and serious complications. Understanding how to protect your baby from RSV is important for keeping them healthy, especially during RSV season, which usually runs from October to April.
Here are some things to consider:
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If you’re pregnant and will give birth during RSV season, a maternal RSV vaccine may be offered to you. This RSV vaccine is given between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, from September to January, and protects newborns from RSV. For more details, talk to your prenatal care provider.
- If you didn’t receive the maternal RSV vaccine, ask your baby’s healthcare provider about an RSV immunization for infants once your baby is born. This immunization is available for infants (under 12 months) and some older babies (12-19 months) during RSV season.
- If RSV immunization options are not available where you live, ask your baby’s health care provider about preventative medication
RSV Awareness and Resources
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, March of Dimes hosted an It Starts With Mom webinar to support Latina and Hispanic moms with essential health information, including RSV prevention. A recent article published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), shows that Hispanic infants under 6 months and between 6 and 11 months had higher RSV-related hospitalization rates in recent years. March of Dimes continues to advocate for increased awareness about RSV, helping parents protect their babies from serious complications. Take a look at the links below for more information about RSV, including replay access to the webinar (with English subtitles):
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It Starts with Mom Live: What today’s Latina/Hispanic mamas need to know: Our latest webinar which features clinical and public health experts discussing topics essential to Latina and Hispanic families, including RSV prevention.
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March of Dimes’ RSV Guide for Parents: A guide for parents that provides essential information on how RSV affects babies, particularly during RSV season from October to April.
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Risk Less. Do More.: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Pan Respiratory Virus (PRV) Public Education Campaign (PEC).