Risk Factors for Severe RSV Disease

Usually, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes moderate-to-severe cold symptoms. However, in some babies, the symptoms can quickly get worse and become very serious. You may see a different healthcare provider from time to time, so it's important to review your baby's medical history and other risk factors. Use this checklist and bring it with you to your next appointment.

Your baby could be at high risk for severe RSV disease if he or she:

Was born early at less than 36 weeks ^1-2
Was born with certain heart problems or has chronic lung disease ^2-3

Additional risk factors for premature infants may include:

Being in daycare or spending more than 4 hours per week
with other children ^1,4-7
Having school-age siblings ^1,4,8-10
Young chronological age (12 weeks of age or younger at the beginning of RSV season) ^4,9-11
Living with 4 or more family members ^5,8-9,12-13
Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke or other air pollutants ^1,4,10,14-16
Low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds) ^17-20
Family history of wheezing or asthma ^8-9,21-22
Being a twin, triplet or other multiple ^17,23
Severe neuromuscular disease ²⁴
Born with abnormal airways ¹

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