2020 COLD, FLU, and RSV SEASON
|
The 2020 cold and flu season is going to be especially dangerous for vulnerable babies and families. We need to educate ourselves and each other.
| See more resources on our COVID-19 page, including resources in Spanish. |
It may be the common cold for you... but it can be life threatening for some babies. |
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is one version of the common cold.
For most healthy children and adults it will cause a slight cough, watery nasal congestion, and mild fever. But in babies that were born prematurely or have certain health conditions, RSV can be much more serious and have devastating health consequences.
The good news is that we have a proven, effective therapy and there are FDA-approved, evidence-based guidelines that describe which babies should have access to this medication.
Babies who were born prematurely or who have compromised respiratory or immune systems can receive monthly antibody injections. When given as prophylaxis during the RSV season It is an effective way to significantly decrease the risks of RSV infection for this vulnerable population.There is solid evidence that babies who were born prematurely or have compromised respiratory or immune systems benefit from these antibody injections.
The National Perinatal Association supports access to this much-needed therapy.
Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published new RSV guidelines and recommendations that contradict the FDA-approved indications and have the effect of significantly limiting the number of vulnerable babies who will be approved to receive the medication.
We believe this new AAP guidance will leave many more infants vulnerable to serious complications from RSV infection.
The National Perinatal Association RSV Guidelines support the FDA-approved indications for this medication and recommend the medication be available for all preterm and at-risk babies who have been shown to benefit from its use. |
Currently the NPA supports several initiatives to address this issue, including the following:
|
EDUCATE yourself about the risks of RSV |
|
How To Recognize RSV Symptoms: Scarlett's Story What Kande Hein thought were initially cold symptoms turned out to be Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in her 5-week-old baby girl, Scarlett. After the infant recovered from hospitalization, Kande has made it her mission to educate other parents on the dire signs and symptoms of the virus. VIDEO by Baylor Scott & White Health |
Survey Says: RSVParents of young children lack knowledge about a potentially deadly seasonal virus. The National Coalition for Infant Health summarizes results of its recent survey on RSV, which demonstrated that parents need more information about the potentially deadly disease. See their advocacy work and resources www.infanthealth.org/rsv |
ADVOCATE for vulnerable infants |
|
by the National Coalition for Infant Health "Most health plans cover the treatment for severely premature infants and term infants may be able to fight off the virus on their own - but that leaves this baby and other babies born between 29 and 36 weeks in a coverage gap." |
SHARE RSV Awareness materials |
DOWNLOAD RSV door hangers |
Share Posts on social media