This is part of a sponsored collaboration with MedImmune and Latina Mom Bloggers. However, all opinions expressed are my own.
ESPAÑOL:Si bien este post forma parte de una campaña patrocinada con MedImmune y Latina Mom Bloggers, las opiniones expresadas son mías.

 

Important information about #RSVawareness that everyone should know! #PreemieProtection. Read important information about the effects of this disease.
Whether you have/have had or even haven’t had a Preemie, there is vital information that you should know when it comes to RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus).  Everyone can help keep already fragile Preemies safe from this terrible disease.

It’s no secret that we have 6 kids, but not many people know that FOUR of those six kids were born prematurely.  Our now 14-year-old Daughter was born at 30 weeks, our now 12-year-old Daughter was born at 28 weeks, our now 11-year-old son was born at 24 weeks, and our now rambunctious 9-year-old was born at a mere 22 weeks!  (sadly because of our house fire last month, I have lost 99.5% of all pictures we had, so I can only show you what I had previously on my blog)

While being born prematurely already has its own dangers and trials, there is always a bigger chance for premature babies to contract the RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) disease.  This disease that was unknown to me until I had preemie babies, almost took one of mine.  With the youngest one, he had to be taken back to the hospital while my husband was in Afghanistan.  The high fevers, the blue shade on the lips; it was all too scary.  That year, I had 4 babies ages 5 and under; with the youngest beings 5 months old (pictured above).
From November 2005 to February 2006, we had a non-stop cycle of sick kids.  Fevers, hospitalizations, fears, all because the babies were subjected to the effects of germs more than other children.  I wish I could have done something to stop this, I wish I knew then; what I know now about RSV and the dangers AND preventions for it.

 

Below is an infografic with important information, links, tips; I hope you will read them I hope you will pass them along, I hope that you will help get the word out about this sometime silent disease that hits with a big bang!  Help a Family be prepared this and every season, even if they don’t have a Preemie; it always helps to know.

 

As you can see, it does not require much work to help prevent passing these yucky germs around, but in many cases; it CAN help save a life.