Vanessa Lachey warns of the virus that has hospitalized her son

The cold and flu season is in full swing. So you probably take extra precautions against the disease, such as washing your hands more frequently and getting vaccinated against the flu.

But there is another equally dangerous disease that strikes during this time of year and causes the same miserable symptoms. However, this does not attract as much attention, which prompted actress Vanessa Lachey to talk about the experience of her son, a toddler.

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Lachey's son, Phoenix, was diagnosed with severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in January 2018 and had to be hospitalized for six days. He was born prematurely about a year earlier.

"When I gave birth to my youngest Phoenix, at 30 weeks, I knew it would need more attention," Lachey wrote in a recent article posted on Instagram. "But I did not know that he was exposed to an increased risk of contracting the common respiratory virus called #RSV because of his underdeveloped lungs and his immature immune system."

The VRS is most prevalent from early autumn to late spring, according to the Mayo Clinic. The majority of children under 2 get it, and adults can catch it too. In otherwise healthy patients, the symptoms include runny nose, dry cough, sore throat and low fever; they tend to resolve in a week or two with no long-term effect.

But more serious cases, such as that of Phoenix, usually occur in premature infants, infants, older adults, people with heart and lung diseases, and anyone with weakened immune systems. If this happens, cold symptoms can worsen and turn into potentially fatal signs, such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, and bluish skin.

"In fact, I brought Phoenix to the doctor several times, and they just treated it as a flu-like virus," says Lachey. Health. "I knew that when his cough continued, he was wheezing, his temperature was above 100 ° C for a long time, and he had bluish nails and lips indicating that something was wrong."

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According to the National Institutes of Health, the RSV is responsible for 125,000 hospitalizations each year in the United States and about 160,000 deaths worldwide each year.

Like colds and flu, there is no cure for RSV. Personal care measures such as staying in bed and staying hydrated can make the patient more comfortable while the virus is running. If breathing problems or high fever develop, hospitalization may be necessary to help the patient recover.

Lachey urges everyone to learn about the VRS, especially those who are at high risk or have a child who is. To protect yourself from illness, wash your hands frequently, avoid sharing drinks, keep toys clean and do not smoke.

"If you notice some of the symptoms, even some of them, I encourage you to talk to your health care provider and ask questions about RSV," says Lachey.

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