Intermountain Health expert gives two of the best defenses for parents to help stop the spread of viruses during respiratory season.
Winter has set in and with it comes respiratory virus season. As people spend more time indoors, it can feel difficult time for families to feel safe with a baby or young children who are more susceptible to viruses such as the flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV. The flu and RSV can be very serious for babies and young children.
RSV puts babies at risk for serious disease and sends thousands of Utah children to the hospital – with some requiring intensive care.
The CDC estimates that 6,000–25,000 children under age five are hospitalized with the flu each year in the United States. According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, in Utah so far this season, there have been more than 820 total influenza hospitalizations for adults and children. In the last week Intermountain Health has seen more than 600 children that have tested positively for the flu.
According to GermWatch, Intermountain Health’s free online tool, that tracks germs in Utah, right now there is high activity for influenza and moderate activity for RSV.
“The first line of defense to keep babies and young children healthy from these viruses is to keep them up to date on immunizations that protect against disease, including the flu vaccine and the new RSV or Nirsevimab shot for infants,” said Katrina Jensen, MS, RN a pediatric nurse with Intermountain Health. “And the second line of defense is to practice good respiratory hygiene.”
The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone ages six months and older. It’s not too late for everyone in the family to get a flu shot! The flu typically continues to circulate until about April.
“It’s also important to know that baby can receive protection from mom’s vaccines as well,” adds Jensen. “Moms that receive a flu shot or the RSV vaccine which is called Abrysvo for women during their 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy, can pass their protection onto their babies. And studies have shown some antibodies also pass from mom to breastfeeding babies.”
Which Children Should Get the RSV Shot?
- All children under 8 months old, during their first RSV season
- Children 8-19 months who are at extreme risk for severe disease as they enter their second RSV season.
- The RSV shot, which is covered by Medicaid, CHIP, and most private insurance plans including Select Health.
“Newborns who are too young to be vaccinated are being admitted to hospitals due to exposure from those who aren’t vaccinated. It’s important for any adults who will be around newborns to be vaccinated,” said Jensen.
How to practice good respiratory hygiene
- Encourage children to wash their hands frequently.
- Teach children to cover their sneezes and coughs, by coughing into their elbow or a tissue.
- Encourage children to use a tissue once, then throw it away and wash their hands.
- Keep children at home from school or other social gatherings when they’re sick.
- Help children avoid close contact with people who are sick whenever possible.
- For those who want extra protection, wear a mask, being sure it covers the nose and mouth snuggly.
For more information ask your pediatrician or health care provider about what immunizations are recommended for your baby or child, or visit intermountainhealth.org.
About Intermountain Health
Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a not-for-profit system of 34 hospitals, approximately 400 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health plans division called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For up-to-date information and announcements, please see the Intermountain Health newsroom at https://intermountainhealthcare.org/news.
