RSV - Please read!

Dear Family and Friends,

We’re writing regarding a very important matter. We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to read this letter. Especially if you plan to visit soon, we ask that any visitors have read this letter prior to visiting.

First, let us start by saying thank you so much for the outpouring of support we have received from all of you. So many have done so much for us and every bit of help we have received is truly appreciated more than you can imagine. This has been the biggest challenge of our lives and we’re lucky to be surrounded by so many who have shared their support and love.

We’d like to share an important issue with you that we’ve recently discussed with our babies’ pediatrician. If you are not aware of RSV, you are among the majority. Although nearly every child by the age of 2 has been infected with RSV, most have not heard of it. For full-term babies, RSV is typically not any worse than a common cold. For preemies, it is much different. It is a serious virus that is very easily contracted, and for those born earlier than 36 weeks, it poses major risks (pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and other more serious complications, some fatal). Our babies were born at 32 weeks, are multiples and had low birth weights, which puts them among the highest risk factors for contracting serious RSV.

Stopping the spread of RSV is very difficult. Thus, we must be vigilant about keeping our children safe during RSV season (October through April). It is spread through physical contact, through the air via a cough or sneeze, or picked up via touching an infected object. Since it can live as long as 6 hours on your hands and up to 12 hours on objects, you can see how difficult it is to prevent exposure. It is very easily spread, especially from child to child, and studies have shown that other infants pose an even higher risk at spreading RSV from one infant to another.

We’ve had some friends and family ask, “Can’t they just fight it off and it will build up their immune system? Kids need to get sick, right?” The simple answer is NO. Since our babies were 2 months pre-term, they did not acquire the necessary immunities to fight off infection. If they acquire RSV, they could likely be hospitalized and develop other serious complications. The saying, "there is no cure for the common cold" is true for RSV. It’s up to the baby’s very weak immune system to fight off the infection, which is why many times it leads to more complications. Click HERE to see a great visual comparison of a preemie’s lungs compared to a full-term baby.

According to an online RSV tracking page, cases of RSV have already begun to show up. Thus, the season has begun and we’ll be asking our visitors to follow a few guidelines in hopes of preventing Krista, Jamison and Kiera from contracting RSV or any other illness. They will be getting Synagis, which is a shot to limit potential harmful effects of RSV, but it does not prevent RSV or even prevent serious complications.

We ask that all visitors do the following:
- When you arrive, please wash your hands and use hand-sanitizer as needed before touching the kids.- If at all possible, please try to get a flu shot.
- Please refrain from coming over if you are currently sick, if you live with someone who is currently sick, have been in contact with someone who is sick, and/or if you have not been symptom-free for at least 7 days.
- If you smoke, we ask that you refrain from smoking just prior to visiting, as their lungs are very sensitive. Most all RSV sites recommend against passive smoke exposure. Although it’s not second hand smoke, it does linger and we’d prefer to be safe rather than add another risk factor.
- If you are parents to a baby or toddler, please refrain from bringing them to the house during RSV season.
- If you are coming over straight from a public place, please change your clothing prior to visiting.
-Please refrain from kissing the babies or allowing them to put your fingers in their mouths.

We will not be attending many events during RSV season, which unfortunately coincides with numerous family and friend gatherings. It is our goal to make it through this and next RSV seasons without the babies contracting RSV or any other serious illness. Their lungs have come a long way. But believe it or not, they are still very fragile, at least until they are 2. Then we can all breathe a little easier.

Please do not take this letter the wrong way. It is not meant to offend anyone, just simply to provide an explanation. Since RSV is new to us, we figure it is probably something you haven’t heard of either. We hope you understand and we’d appreciate your respect on this matter.

We’re members of an online multiples community who has shared their experiences with RSV and have first hand experiences of the real danger RSV possesses so we must take this seriously and we hope everyone can respect that without thinking we are crazy overprotective parents! In addition, we’ve included a compilation of various resources to better educate you on RSV and what can be done to prevent it. You can read about these personal experiences and learn more by clicking the links below.

Love and best wishes to all,
Eric, Jaime, Krista, Jamison & Kiera

http://www.preemiecare.org/rsv_resourceshtm.htm
http://www.preemiecare.org/rsvfaq.htm
http://www.preemiecare.org/rsv2.htm
http://www.mostonline.org/preemieBB/viewforum.php?f=82