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(NAPSA)—As we enter the falland winter months, parentsshould be aware of a common, sea-sonal virus called respiratory syn-cytial virus, or RSV. While symp-toms in most children are mild,RSV disease is the leading causeof hospitalizations in infantsunder 1 year of age in the UnitedStates. A recent study showedthat RSV disease accounts forinpatient hospital stays for oneout of every 334 hospitalizationsand one of every 38 emergencydepartment visits for childrenunder 5 years of age. Premature babies and those

with certain medical conditionsare generally considered to be athigh risk for severe RSV disease.But parents should know that theincidence of RSV disease in chil-dren up to the age of 5 is greaterthan previously thought, accord-ing to data published in the NewEngland Journal of Medicine. “Virtually all children will be

infected with RSV by the age of2,” says Caroline B. Hall, M.D.,professor of pediatrics and medi-cine in infectious disease at theUniversity of Rochester MedicalCenter. “These data simply sug-gest that parents should be awarethat, during the fall and wintermonths, RSV is in the communityand they should protect their chil-dren from RSV, especially if theyhave a premature infant.”

What is RSV? RSV is a virus that usually

causes cold-like symptoms. RSVrecurs yearly and can be con-tracted more than once over achild’s lifetime. Most babiesexposed are able to fight the virusoff, but up to 125,000 infants go tothe hospital each year in theUnited States because of RSV.

Are all children at risk?Although all children can con-

tract RSV, premature birth, beingborn with certain heart conditionsor having chronic lung diseasemay increase your child’s risk ofsevere RSV disease. Other RSV risk factors for pre-

mature infants include close con-tact with other young children, atdaycare or in a home with oldersiblings and exposure to tobacco

smoke and other air pollutantsthat can irritate your baby’s lungsand make it more difficult to fightoff the virus.

How can you tell if your baby has RSV?

“RSV symptoms are similar tothe common cold, such as feverand a runny nose, and can be dif-ficult to distinguish,” said Dr.Hall. “Parents should be aware ofRSV symptoms and of the routineprecautions that could help pro-tect their child.” Parents should look for the fol-

lowing symptoms of severe RSVdisease and consult a healthcareprofessional if any are present:Respiratory symptoms accom-

panied by: • Fever (in infants under 3

months of age, a fever greater than100.4°F rectal is cause for concern) • Pers is tent coughing or

wheezing • Rapid, difficult or labored

breathing • Unusual lethargy, tiredness • Decreased intake of liquids

What can you do to help protect your child?Just like the cold and flu, RSV

spreads easily on hands and liveson common surfaces, such ascountertops and tissues. There-fore, it is important to keep otherchildren and adults who havecolds with coughing and sneezingaway from your baby. You can alsohelp prevent the spread of RSV bycleaning your baby’s toys and per-sonal items used by others andasking those who touch your babyto wash their hands or use handsanitizer gels. The RSV season usually occurs

from late fall to spring in most ofthe country, but the onset variesin different parts of the UnitedStates. For further information on the

length of the RSV season whereyou live, and steps you can take toavoid RSV, ask your baby’s doctor. You can also learn more online

at www.rsvprotection.com.

More Children May Be At Risk For SeasonalVirus Than Previously Believed

“Virtually all children will be infectedwith RSV by the age of 2.”

—Caroline B. Hall, M.D.

(NAPSA)—Job loss is the singlegreatest cause of mortgage foreclo-sures. That’s the opinion of manyexperts, such as researchers at theFederal Reserve Bank of Bostonand other economists. Fortunately,the loss of a job doesn’t alwayshave to mean losing your home. Agrowing number of smart home-buyers are looking for ways to pro-tect what is probably their mostvaluable asset. Many are takingadvantage of a new feature offeredby private mortgage insurers.Called Job Loss Protection, it’s

designed to meet the individualfinancial needs of people whoinvoluntarily lose their jobs.That’s an all-too-common realityin these challenging economictimes, but the good news is thatthe benefit is available at no extracost to homebuyers. To help buyers stay in their

homes, mortgage insurers, such asGenworth Financial, purchase theJob Loss Protection benefit whenthey insure a low down paymentmortgage loan made by a partici-pating lender partner.“It’s good to see a borrower

walk away from the closing tablewith the added peace of mind thatcomes from having a financialcushion in case of job loss,” saidChris Antonello, a Genworth exec-utive. “The benefit allows affectedhomeowners to focus on searchingfor a new job without worryingthat the mortgage payment iscoming due.”The program may pay a quali-

fying borrower’s mortgage pay-ment (principal, interest, taxesand insurance) up to $2,000 amonth for up to six months. Bene-fits are paid directly to the mort-

gage company, just as if the bor-rower had made the payment. The borrower vesting period is

60 days after closing, and pay-ments begin 30 days from the dateof involuntary unemployment.The benefit stays in place for up tothree years after the loan closes,while the mortgage insuranceremains in force.Most unemployment events

covered by state unemploymentbenefits are covered under theprogram. Seasonal, temporaryand voluntary jobs or self-employ-ment are not eligible, however.There are other eligibility require-ments that a borrower must meetin order to qualify.“Job loss mortgage protection

helps protect borrowers’ creditstanding by preventing them fromfalling behind on their mortgagepayments, and it makes theiremergency savings go further,”Antonello said. “It helps make forsmarter, safer low down paymentloans.”For more information, go to

SmarterMI.com/benefits.html.

Protecting Your Home From The Loss Of A Job

A growing number of homeown-ers are protecting their homefrom foreclosure with Job Lossinsurance offered by mortgageinsurers.

(NAPSA)—A new family-friendly game lets players assumethe role of one of children’s litera-ture’s most beloved heroes. In the classic book “Where the

Wild Things Are”—and now in themotion picture of the same name—the rambunctious and imaginativeMax embarks on an adventureacross a magical island filled withcreatures great and small. The game, also called “Where

the Wild Things Are” and based onthe popular tale, lets players takecontrol of Max as he explores theisland of the Wild Things, journey-ing across its dangerous terrain.Along the way, they team up with acollection of fearsome but loveablecreatures as they overcome haz-ardous obstacles and battle foes. Its breathtaking and colorful

graphics conjure images of thebook’s own award-winning illus-trations and of favorite scenesfrom the movie, helping score highmarks with fans of the story. Butit’s the game’s core message offriendship and cooperation thathas drawn particular applause. Aside from the occasional bee-

like creature or plant beingsquashed, there is virtually noviolence in the game. Playersinstead focus on solving actionpuzzles, overcoming challengingobstacles and playing through aunique story narrative to save theWild Things before it’s too late. A player might move Max

through the game by using “water

fruit” to splash away fireflies inorder to clear space to grow spe-cial plants, or he or she might findimaginative ways to calm theisland’s inhabitants before gainingtheir special “wild abilities.” Available for Xbox 360,

PlayStation 3, Wii and NintendoDS, the game offers seven uniqueworlds and 18 different levels.There’s also an alternative endingthat players gain access to by col-lecting “scepter achievements.” For more information, visit

www.wherethewildthingsarethevideogame.com.

Interactive Game Brings Classic Characters To Life

A new game lets children assumethe role of Max on the mysteriousisland of Wild Things.

(NAPSA)—Colgate’s BrightSmiles, Bright Futures programidentifies at-risk communitiesand provides children and theirfamilies with oral health educa-tion and information regardinglocal, affordable dental care. Tolearn more, please visitwww.colgatebsbf.com or call (212)310-2638.

** ** **When buying a gift, consider

the person’s hobbies and inter-ests. For gift ideas, visitwww.craftsman.com. Craftsmanwas ranked as the most trustedtool brand in America in the 2008Harris Interactive EquiTrendBrand Study.

** ** **A new collection of recipes is

designed to help consumers cutcosts and calories by preparingmeals at home. Called “KitchenCountdown,” the recipes can befound at www.mealtime.org.

** ** **Livingston Cellars varietals

now feature signature colors onlabel and cap—yellow for

Chardonnay, orange for Sangriaand blue for Merlot. You can enterthe Living the Livingston Lifenational essay contest to win atrip to California wine country.Visit www.TheLivingston Life. com/WineCountry.

** ** **Thousands of people are walk-

ing 60 miles over three days toraise money to help Susan G.Komen for the Cure® end breastcancer forever. Walkers get freemassages thanks to event sponsorEnergizer. For more information,visit www.energizer.com/komen.

***Money will buy you a prettygood dog, but it won’t buy thewag of his tail.

—Henry Wheeler Shaw***

***When you let money speak foryou, it drowns out anything elseyou meant to say.

—Mignon McLaughlin***

***Inflation is taxation withoutlegislation.

—Milton Friedman***

***One’s friends are that part ofthe human race with which onecan be human.

—George Santayana***

***It’s good to have money and thethings that money can buy, butit’s good, too, to check up oncein a while and make sure thatyou haven’t lost the things thatmoney can’t buy.

—George Horace Lorimer***

***Every day I get up and lookthrough the Forbes list of therichest people in America. If I’mnot there, I go to work.

—Robert Orben***

***Money is much more excitingthan anything it buys.

—Mignon McLaughlin***

Herbert Hoover was the firstpresident born west of the Mis-sissippi River. He was born onAugust 10, 1874 in West Branch,Iowa, and served one term aspresident—from 1929 to 1933.

A person must be 35 yearsold to be president, 30 to be U.S.senator, 25 to be a U.S. Housemember.