RSV and Tyler

Today Tyler had his first round of shots for RSV. RSV is a respiratory virus that is very dangerous to preemies. Most full term kids gets sick with RSV within the first 2 years. Most times these kids just have a really bad cold. Their lungs are strong enough to handle the virus and usually doesn't need more than Mom and Dad's supportive care. Preemies and other babies who have chronic lung or heart problem have a difficult time with RSV. Their lungs are not as strong as a healthy full term baby even if the preemie is strong and looks normal. Lungs develop much slower and are very prone to complications. A preemie with RSV will most likely need to be hospitalized. Pneumonia and death is extremely high in preemie's with RSV. So Tyler gets a $3K shot every month from November to March or April depending on the season. RSV has seasons up in New England just like cold and flu. RSV is very contagious and can be spread by sneezing, coughing, and will live on surfaces for over 6 hours. That is why you see our hands are very chapped at our house. This shot will not decrease the severity of RSV if he comes down with it. Instead it makes it harder for him to contract it. We still have to be smart with him. So we stay away from malls and busy shops. We all wash our hands nurotically and we use purell like it's going out of style. We also ask people to stay away if they are sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick. Since someone with RSV looks like someone with a bad cold, there is no way to tell if Tyler is being exposed to RSV.