Babies born at 35 weeks or less, or babies born with heart or lung problems, are at higher risk for severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV disease, said Sherry Badeaux, Home Health director for Iberia Medical Center.

Ellen Switzer, marketing director for the hospital, said RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization in babies less than 1 year old.

“RSV is a common, easily spread virus that causes moderate-to-severe respiratory symptoms,” Switzer said.

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“However, for some babies RSV can lead to serious lung infections, breathing difficulties and hospitalization.”

Badeaux said the hospital’s home health services include a program called Synagis in which nurses visit at risk babies at home delivering an FDA-approved medicine to help protect babies from severe RSV disease.

She said the program started in 2007 and currently sees 40 babies. However, Switzer and Badeaux would like to see enrollment in the program increase.

“We would really like to raise awareness of the program,” Badeaux said. “People just don’t know this is available and really all premature babies should be put into this program.”

Badeaux said the RSV season in the Teche Area usually runs from September until April.

She said most babies who were born prematurely and stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit had an initial injection, and the baby’s pediatrician would most likely refer the baby to the program.

If they did not, she said parents should consult with their pediatrician about the program.