![Maine’s Pediatric Doctors Ask Parents to Take Steps to Avoid RSV](http://townsquare.media/site/494/files/2018/10/Sick-Child-In-Hospital.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Maine’s Pediatric Doctors Ask Parents to Take Steps to Avoid RSV
As Maine hospitals struggle under an overwhelming number of pediatric RSV cases, medical leaders are asking parents to take steps to prevent their children from getting sick.
What is RSV?
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory illness that, for most people, will make them sick with cold symptoms, but is not dangerous. In babies and toddlers, however, it can lead to bronchiolitis or pneumonia. There's no known cure for the virus, other than supportive care like over-the-counter cold remedies. But for babies and toddlers, hospitals can provide fluids, oxygen, and more advanced respiratory care, if needed.
![WBZN Old Town Maine logo](https://townsquare.media/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/WBZNFM.png?w=100)
Why Are Hospital Officials Concerned?
Right now, there are so many cases of RSV in young children that hospitals are being forced to take extra measures. At the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Portland's Maine Medical Center on Friday, all 87 staffed pediatric beds were full. Other pediatric patients had been moved to the emergency department. As of Friday, the 37 staffed pediatric beds at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor were 97% full. They have started moving children with non-respiratory conditions to the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit, in order to separate them from the RSV patients.
Is It Contagious and How Can We Protect Ourselves?
RSV is very contagious and so hospital officials are taking these measures to not only care for their respiratory patients but also to protect their other pediatric patients from becoming infected. On Friday, Maine's hospital leaders joined forces to urge parents to protect their children, as well. Avoiding RSV involves the same protocols as with the flu or Covid-19 since the virus is carried through droplets.
They advise the following measures to protect children and adults:
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Wash your hands often with soap and water
- Sanitize community surfaces like doorknobs
- Avoid close contact with others, like kissing or sharing eating and drinking utensils
- Stay home if you're feeling sick
Symptoms of RSV include:
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Decrease in Appetite
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
In infants, the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased appetite, and trouble breathing. Anyone who thinks they, or their child, may have RSV should seek medical attention.
10 Foods That Will Bring You Back To Your Childhood
30 Ways Mainers Say “I Love You”
More From WBZN Old Town Maine
![Win a $1,000 Celebrity Shopping Spree on Amazon and Score $500 in Merch from The Weeknd](http://townsquare.media/site/241/files/2022/11/attachment-The-Weeknd-Shopping-Spree.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Season’s Eatings: Here’s How You Can Win $500 to Blue Apron for the Holidays](http://townsquare.media/site/241/files/2022/11/attachment-seasons-eatings.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Slanted Windows on New England Homes Are Suppose to Keep out Witches](http://townsquare.media/site/699/files/2022/05/attachment-Untitled-design-2022-05-20T150759.096.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The Fun History of Maine’s Furriest Friend, the Maine Coon Cat](http://townsquare.media/site/697/files/2022/11/attachment-Untitled-design-2022-11-03T131359.759.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Maine May Have Been Home to One of the First Carousels in the United States](http://townsquare.media/site/701/files/2022/11/attachment-Carousel.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![Check Out Our ‘Wish List’ For Bangor Concerts Next Summer](http://townsquare.media/site/495/files/2022/11/attachment-GettyImages-1350495857.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Tourist Hotspot Named Maine’s Most Family-Friendly City](http://townsquare.media/site/698/files/2022/11/attachment-RS41339_GettyImages-92848679-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Babysitter Ditches Gig After Mom Claims Her Outfit Is Too Tight to Wear Around Husband, 5-Year-Old Son](http://townsquare.media/site/252/files/2022/10/attachment-Untitled-design-72.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Aaron Carter Dead at 34: REPORT](http://townsquare.media/site/252/files/2022/09/attachment-Untitled-design-27.jpg?w=980&q=75)