Can we talk RSV prevention?

SLM05

So now that the season is starting up, what will you/did you do to try and keep your little one healthy? 
If your preemie is older now, did it help, or did they get RSV anyway?

I was talking to a preemie mom friend and  we were trying to figure out if we are just suspoted to stay like hermits all winter or what?

FisMom

Staying away from large crowds, no sick people around or allowed at my house, religious hand washing, and synagis if my insurance company will ever decide to send it. Otherwise, I am not quaranteening myself and baby. Pedi told us it is not really necessary for us and we are already so cautious that he is not worried. That said, we don't really go anywhere anyway and don't have a lot of local friends so it is easy to stay away from people.

ssg73

We lived as hermits for the RSV season.  Our last outing of the fall was the first week in October.  We only went to the doctors office, the grandparents house and a few friends with no children.  We did not let E see any children under 12 except her cousins and we screened them for illness if they had been sick in the 5 days before a visit we did not go.  We did not take her to any stores or public places until April except one trip to an art museum.  She was healthy all season with only one case of the sniffles. She got synergis last year.  She was about 6.5 lbs at the start of RSV season and had been home from the nicu for about 2 weeks at the start of RSV season she was 3 months old when RSV season started (2 weeks adjusted).  It stunk but it kept her healthy.

Cara03

This is my LO's 2nd RSV season, though most of his first was spent in the NICU. We are staying isolated, at home, through April upon our doctors advice. We are only allowing grandparents who have been well and not around anyone who's sick over to our house and will probably go to the grandparents' houses (without any other visitors being there) a few times. LO's lungs remain compromised, thus the strict rules. I'm not thrilled about the isolation, but I'm hoping we'll continue to keep him healthy. He's never been out in public places, but he's 10 months (actual) and so far, no illnesses!

lemen99

-no public places

-not around any kids at all

-not around anyone sick

-only took to a couple of friend's houses who didn't have kids and were not sick

-wash wash wash hands

-Syangis

 

He didn't get sick all winter.  The second we lifted these rules (literally April 2nd) he got his first awful cold (but not RSV!)

 

LWilli35

For those of you who are going / went on lockdown, it seems like everyone still visited / allowed visits from grandparents.  Why did you allow those visits?  DH and I struggle with this because it's hard for everyone, but it seems that if it's serious enough to go on lockdown, it's worth it to do it 100% since nothing's worth being rehospitalized if we can prevent it, especially with what a long difficult respiratory course we've been through already.  I know that nobody would willingly expose my child to illness, but every exposure to someone who wants to snuggle and love and play is just that...another risk of exposure.  I am showering and changing when I get home from work, and lately I've felt as though I've been starting to come down with something and have been sleeping in the guest room and wearing a mask around DS...maybe extreme, but it helps my psyche.

Anyway...so what is your rationale on limited visitors versus no visitors at all? 

ssg73

For us E had a pretty easy go of it with lung issues.  Intubated for 12 hrs, cpap for 3 days, high flow nasal canula for 2 weeks.  Always on room air.  So while we were worried about rsv and colds we were not at as much of a risk as others.  With the grandparents we made them all get the flu shot, h1n1 and the pertuisis vaccine.  They also did not visit if they had been sick or were feeling sick.  We all washed out hands and used hand sanitizer before touching dd.  I think you need to do what you feel comfortable with but I will say that it was nice to have the company and a little social time even if was just our parents.

Leigh71

lemen99:

-no public places

-not around any kids at all

-not around anyone sick

-only took to a couple of friend's houses who didn't have kids and were not sick

-wash wash wash hands

-Syangis

 

He didn't get sick all winter.  The second we lifted these rules (literally April 2nd) he got his first awful cold (but not RSV!)

 

This!  (I'm following this plan....and hoping and praying we get approved for Synagis.... after being denied, I've written an appeal letter)

we allowed close family and 1 set of Godparents, and we ALL got sick.  It was awful.  Everyone, babies included got fevers (mine 104) and all were vomiting.  So then, .....I said forget it!  No visitors, period.  The girls haven't been sick since.  I thought being in the NICU for 5 weeks was simply awful.  I do not want my LOs readmitted due to RSV.  no way.  So I have several ppl pissy at me now.... sister, nieces/nephews....but they have not gotten sick since I decided no visitors.