Here’s what to know and how to keep baby safe and healthy:
In recent weeks, according to the CDC’s, the health departments in some midwestern states, including Iowa and Ohio, have also been seeing an increase in RSV cases, with over 100 cases in each state. Plus, Texas has seen over 1,000 cases in the past five weeks.
So how can parents keep their kids from getting it? Dina DiMaggio, MD, pediatrician and official spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, explains many of the preventative measures are similar to those of COVID-19. “We…are seeing a surge that corresponds with the relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions,” she says. “To keep children safe from RSV the best strategies are to cover coughs [and] sneezes with a tissue, wash hands with soap [and] water for 20 seconds, clean frequently touched surfaces that might hold germs like favorite toys, and avoid having your child go to daycare [or] school if sick.”
A few more helpful tips? Keep baby away from people who may be sick; don’t share cups or utensils; avoid crowded places; and keep sick siblings away.