(StatePoint) Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is spreading across the country, but it’s not too late to take steps to protect babies from severe illness associated with the virus.

While it is true that by age 2, nearly 100% of children will be infected with RSV, for many, the illness can be severe – potentially leading to other infections like bronchiolitis and pneumonia – and even life threatening. In fact, RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization. The youngest infants, children born prematurely, and those with chronic lung disease, weakened immune systems, congenital heart disease and other conditions, are most at risk of severe infection. However, of children hospitalized due to RSV, 75% were born at full term with no underlying conditions, making precautions important for everyone.

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