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Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) - UPDATES


Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV is one version of the common cold that may only cause a slight cough, watery nasal congestion, and mild fever in older children or adults. But in babies that were born very prematurely, RSV causes many more problems. Often, these babies are sick for weeks, may wheeze for months or even years, and can go on to develop chronic lung disease. Many cannot get enough oxygen and must be admitted to the hospital, sometimes even for a week or longer. The sickest of these babies may even need to be placed on a breathing machine or heart lung bypass. Some babies with RSV die.

The good news is that there is an effective way to prevent RSV. A prophylaxis therapy that is given monthly during the RSV season to babies who were born prematurely has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has been available for many years. 


Respiratory Syncytial Virus Guidelines 

The National Perinatal Association has recently revised the guidelines for the prevention and treatment of RSV in babies born prematurely who are at risk for the more serious consequences of RSV.  

NEW: 2018 Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prevention Guidelines can be accessed at Neonatology Today

2015 NPA RSV Guideline Supporters

  • National Association of Neonatal Nurses
  • National Association of Hispanic Nurses
  • James D. Cherry, MD, MSc, Distinguished Research Professor of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine - UCLA Attending Physician, Pediatric Infectious Diseases - Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA
  • John DeVincenzo, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Professor of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry - University of Tennessee School of Medicine - Medical Director, Molecular Diagnostics and Virology Laboratories - Le Bonheur Children's Hospital
  • Dawn Bolyard RN, MSN, CNS - Mercy Children's Hospital
  • Deb Discenza, Founder, Publisher, Speaker, Author - PreemieWorld, LLC
  • Keira Sorrells, Director of Operations - Preemie Parent Alliance
  • Suzanne Staebler, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC, FAANP, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Health Policy, Consultant - Alliance for Patient Access
  • Howard B. Panitch, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics - University of Pennsylvania / Perelman School of Medicine, Director of Clinical Programs, Division of Pulmonary Medicine - The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
  • Carolyn Teneyck, Alliance for Patient Access
  • Michael L Forbes, MD, FCCM, FAAP, Director Clinical Research & Outcomes Analysis Division of Critical Care Medicine
  • Judy Bernbaum, M.D., Director, Neonatal Follow Up Program - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Professor of Pediatrics - University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
  • Jorge Sallent, Pediatric Pulmonologist
  • Carl Bodenstein, Neonatology

If you would like to be recognized as an individual or organization supporting the 2015 NPA RSV Guidelines, please email info@nationalperinatal.org 





RSV Information and Resources


WATCH: The Gap Baby: An RSV Story by the National Coalition for Infant Health


RSV Awareness Infographics

  • for Providers
  • for Families
  • for Advocates
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