RSV and a Play Date

November marks the beginning of the RSV season and Friday I took Caydence to get her first Synagis injection. It won't stop Caydence from contracting RSV, but it will make her symptoms much less severe if she does get it.

Many of you are probably wondering what RSV is. Don't worry, I hadn't heard of it before either. Here is a brief overview...

RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus and is one of the leading causes of lung infections in infants and small children. RSV is a very common respiratory infection.

The symptoms of RSV are similar to the common cold. Usually, children with RSV will have a mild fever for a few days, a runny nose for 1-2 weeks, and a cough which may last for several weeks.

This doesn't seem too concerning right? However, some children, especially infants less than one year old, or children with other medical problems (like Caydence) can develop a serious RSV infection. Children with a serious case of RSV may need to be admitted to the hospital for treatment.

By the age of three, almost all children will have had RSV. And once you have had it, you CAN get it again, although symptoms may not be as severe. An adult with RSV may just have common cold symptoms.

RSV is spread by coming into contact with an infected person and the droplets they produce when they cough or sneeze. Careful hand washing with soap and water is the best way to prevent the spread of RSV.

So, on the recommendation of her doctors, Caydence will get monthly Synagis injections throughout the winter months to prevent a severe case of RSV. The nurse we saw gave us a free little sign to hang on her car seat to remind people to wash their hands.



For more information on RSV visit the CDC's RSV Homepage

Josh and I both received the seasonal flu vaccine and H1N1 vaccine and once Caydence is old enough she can get them as well.

Tomorrow we are supposed to meet with Caydence's heart surgeon during her cardiology appointment to figure out when to have her surgerys. Hopefully the surgeon doesn't get called away and we are able to meet with him and get all our questions answered. I'm nervous, anxious, and excited all at once.

I can't wait until it's all over and Caydence is all better. Next June we are going to have the biggest 1st Birthday/Post OP Party ever! It will be a great day. I can't wait <3 Yesterday, Caydence had her second playdate with her friend Olivia. My friend Melissa and I decided that we had better get together before the holidays while everyone is still healthy. So Melissa, her husband Jim, and daughter Olivia came over for a bit. Olivia is sooo much bigger next to Caydence. Here are some pics...











That's all for this post. Hopefully, next time I write, we'll have a date for her heart surgery! Stay Tuned...