DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports a high level of respiratory illness in Iowa. With babies being especially vulnerable to RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, Iowa native Shawn Johnson East is raising awareness about methods of prevention.
Johnson East, an Olympic gold medalist and mother of three, joined a pediatrician to provide advice for parents, inspired by her experience when her two oldest children contracted RSV as babies, leading to her son’s hospitalization.
“It took a really quick turn to where he was struggling to breathe, and so we ended up in the emergency room, which was a very, very scary experience for a mom,” Johnson East said…