As a mother, I understand all too well the stress that comes when our little ones are sick, especially during RSV season. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is one of those infections that sneaks up on us, and before we know it, our kids are struggling with runny noses, coughs, and in more severe cases, difficulty breathing. While RSV is common, particularly in children under two, it can lead to serious complications like bronchiolitis and pneumonia. That’s why taking extra precautions during RSV season is crucial, starting with keeping the air in your home clean.
How Serious is RSV for Children?
RSV can be deceptive. Initially, it might seem just like a cold, with symptoms such as a runny nose, mild cough, and a slight fever. However, in infants and young children—especially those under two years old or those born prematurely—the virus can quickly escalate into more severe health problems. RSV can lead to bronchiolitis, an infection of the small airways in the lungs, and pneumonia, both of which make breathing difficult.
Here are some of the serious symptoms RSV can cause in children:
- Severe Coughing: That persistent cough can turn harsh quickly, often making it hard for your child to sleep or eat properly.
- Rapid, Labored Breathing: You might notice your child’s chest muscles working hard with each breath, or hear wheezing, which signals airway inflammation.
- Bluish Skin Tone (Cyanosis): In severe cases, the lack of oxygen can cause a bluish tint, particularly around the lips and fingertips.
- Poor Feeding and Dehydration: When a baby is working hard to breathe, they may not have the energy to eat or drink, which can lead to dehydration.
- Fever: While a mild fever is typical, in some cases it can rise to dangerous levels.
For babies with underlying health conditions—such as heart or lung problems—or those born prematurely, the risk of hospitalization due to RSV complications is higher. RSV is one of the leading causes of hospital visits for infants in the U.S. during the winter months. As a mom, I know that nothing is more terrifying than seeing your child struggle to breathe and not knowing what will happen next.
That’s why I take every precaution I can to prevent RSV from spreading in our home, and one of the best ways I’ve found is by improving the air quality in our living space.
How to Keep Your Home Sanitized
RSV is notoriously resilient on surfaces and can survive for several hours on hard, non-porous surfaces like countertops, doorknobs, and toys. That’s why I incorporate cleaning and disinfecting into my daily routine during RSV season. Even though life is hectic (what mom doesn’t have a million things on her to-do list?), taking a few minutes to wipe down high-touch areas can make a big difference.
I focus on disinfecting places my kids touch the most—such as light switches, their favorite toys, and the surfaces in the kitchen where they eat. Using a disinfectant that’s proven to kill viruses is crucial. Just because a surface looks clean doesn’t mean it’s germ-free, and RSV can linger on hard surfaces for hours, waiting to infect the next person who touches it.
And don’t forget about fabrics! RSV can also survive for shorter periods on softer materials like blankets, stuffed animals, and clothing. I make sure to toss those items into the washing machine regularly, using hot water to kill any lingering germs. I know laundry can seem endless, but knowing I’m protecting my kids’ health makes it worth the extra effort.
A Simple Yet Effective Solution
Incorporating an air filter into your cleaning routine during RSV season isn’t just about peace of mind—it’s about creating a safer environment for your family, especially for your children who are more vulnerable to respiratory illnesses. RSV spreads through droplets that can linger in the air and settle on surfaces throughout your home. While you might be diligent about wiping down counters and disinfecting toys, controlling airborne particles is much trickier. This is where air filters become a valuable, yet often overlooked, tool.
A high-quality air filter acts as a silent protector in your home, continuously working to remove harmful particles from the air you and your family breathe. These filters, particularly those with a MERV rating of 13 or higher, are designed to capture particles as small as 0.3 microns, including dust, allergens, and viruses like RSV. The higher MERV rating ensures more effective capture of smaller particles, including those carrying viruses.
While the focus for RSV prevention often leans heavily on handwashing and surface cleaning—and rightly so—maintaining clean air is equally important. By incorporating an air filter into your home, you’re adding another layer of protection that works tirelessly. It’s recommended to change these air filters every 3-6 months, depending on usage and air quality, to maintain their effectiveness.
This approach is particularly beneficial during RSV season when we tend to spend more time indoors with the windows closed, creating an ideal environment for viruses and germs to thrive. Clean air can also significantly benefit children who already have respiratory sensitivities, such as asthma or allergies, which can be exacerbated by airborne particles like dust, pet dander, or pollen.
A Small Step with Big Rewards
For busy moms, being proactive about RSV prevention is essential to keeping our families safe. We’re always juggling the demands of keeping our homes clean, caring for our children, and managing daily life. While RSV season presents unique challenges, taking simple yet effective steps, like improving air quality and sanitizing surfaces, can make a big difference. Incorporating an air filter with a MERV rating of 13 or higher is one such step, working quietly to remove harmful particles from the air and helping reduce the spread of viruses.
In my experience, these preventative measures have given my family a greater sense of security. Children will naturally explore and interact with their surroundings, making it impossible to protect them from all virus exposures. However, by improving air quality and maintaining a clean environment, you can significantly reduce the risk of RSV and help support their immune systems. This proactive approach brings peace of mind, especially during the months when respiratory illnesses are at their peak.
