Protect Your Baby from RSV

CPCMG wants parents of newborns to be aware of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the United States. This virus can be very dangerous for infants, causing severe illness such as bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs).

Infants hospitalized with RSV often require oxygen, IV fluids if they aren’t eating and drinking, and mechanical ventilation to help them breathe. Some babies may develop a secondary bacterial pneumonia or ear infection, both of which require antibiotics. The bottom line is that RSV can be a serious lung illness for babies.

You can protect your newborn from RSV with an injection that provides protection against RSV. This injection is not a vaccine – it is a preventive antibody that provides an extra layer of protection.

Get Protected Today
If you have a new baby and want to schedule an appointment for the RSV injection, please contact your CPCMG office or use your MyChart account to schedule an appointment. You can also email your pediatrician via MyChart if you have any questions.

Additional Tips to Prevent RSV
You can help prevent RSV and other illnesses by following these tips:
1. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue (you can also cough or sneeze into your elbow).
2. Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom, eating and being outside.
3. Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices; use hand sanitizer regularly.
4. Stay home when you or your child is feeling sick – skip school, day care and social activities.

Learn more about RSV:
https://healthhub.cpcmg.net/nirsevimab-beyfortus

https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/downloads/RSV-in-Infants-and-Young-Children.pdf