Clear answers for curious parents

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a highly contagious virus that can lead to respiratory infection in babies, including serious lung infections. However, most of the time RSV will cause a mild, cold-like illness. RSV spreads when droplets from a cough, sneeze, or infected surface—like a toy—get inside the eyes, nose, or mouth.

The typical RSV season usually occurs from fall through spring, but can vary by local area.

Most of the time RSV will cause a mild, cold-like illness. Initial symptoms of RSV can include:

• congestion
• runny nose
• irritability
• decreased appetite
• fever

As the infection spreads to the lungs the symptoms can worsen and can also cause severe illness such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia. Symptoms can include:

• short, shallow, and abnormally fast breathing
• a wheezing cough
• nasal flaring
• poor feeding
• unusual tiredness
• developing a blue tint to their lips or fingernails
• fever

RSV, the flu, and COVID-19 are respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses, but they can be hard to tell apart based on their symptoms alone.

Here’s what to look out for:

• They all share common symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath
• Wheezing is one symptom that may indicate an RSV infection, as it is more common in RSV cases than in flu or COVID-19 cases

Babies are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of RSV due to their developing immune systems, which may lack the necessary antibodies to provide protection during their first encounter with the virus. This vulnerability increases the risk of severe respiratory infections, making early detection and prevention in babies crucial in safeguarding the health of infants.

Since most RSV cases are mild, testing is usually not required for RSV. However, depending on your baby’s medical history and the time of year, their doctor may do a nose swab or blood test to look for viruses and check white blood cell counts.

During the pediatrician's examination of your baby's lungs, the presence of RSV and bronchiolitis may be indicated by a crackling (almost crispy noise) or wheezing.

If there is an RSV infection, the cough can sound wet due to the presence of excess mucus in the airways. This can cause a rattling or gurgling sound when your baby coughs. In more severe cases, the cough may also be accompanied by difficulty breathing and wheezing, a high-pitched
whistling sound that occurs when breathing.

These symptoms are indicative of a more serious infection that may require medical attention.

RSV symptoms usually have a timeline lasting an average of 7-14 days. However, some infants may experience severe illness and complications due to their developing immune systems. Most hospitalizations with RSV occur in otherwise healthy babies born at term, representing up to 75% of the hospitalizations due to RSV infections.

It is important to note that all infants are at risk from RSV. RSV is a common respiratory virus that can cause mild cold-like symptoms in older children and adults, but it can be more serious in babies under one year old, especially those who are premature or have underlying health conditions.

RSV is a highly contagious virus that can live for several hours on solid surfaces, such as tables and crib rails. The virus typically lives on soft surfaces, such as tissues and hands, for a shorter amount of time.

Beyfortus^® (nirsevimab-alip) 50 mg and 100 mg injection is a preventative antibody that gives babies the protection against RSV they lack. Beyfortus can help prevent serious lung infections, like pneumonia caused by RSV, in babies under 1 year of age born during or entering their first
RSV season. Beyfortus may not protect all children.

Beyfortus helped reduce the chance of needing medical care due to RSV, which included trips to the doctor, urgent care, ER, or hospital. In clinical trials, the safety of Beyfortus was found to be similar to placebo. The most common side effects of Beyfortus include rash and pain, swelling, or hardness at the site of your baby’s injection. Serious allergic reactions have happened. These are
not all the possible side effects of Beyfortus.

If your baby is due during RSV season, you can ask for Beyfortus at the hospital when you give birth. If your baby was born outside of RSV season, or if they didn’t get Beyfortus at birth, ask your baby’s doctor when you can schedule an appointment for Beyfortus. This appointment is typically scheduled for October, just as RSV season begins for many parts of the country.

Yes! According to the CDC, all babies that are under 8 months old that are going into their first RSV season are at risk for serious lung infections from RSV. Although severe RSV is rare, RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization in babies under 1. Even as babies get older, they can still face
complications from RSV, so protection remains important.

If your baby has a mild cold or other minor illness, they can likely still get Beyfortus, but it’s a good idea to check with your baby’s doctor first—they can check your baby’s symptoms and provide guidance on when it’s best to get Beyfortus. Beyfortus helps prevent but does not treat serious RSV lung infection.

Beyfortus has been added to the approved immunization schedule for babies and can be given at the same time as other routine childhood vaccines.

Most babies will receive a single dose. An additional dose of Beyfortus may be needed for children up to 24 months of age who remain at increased risk for severe RSV disease in their second RSV season. For children undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, an additional dose of Beyfortus is recommended as soon as the child is stable after surgery.

Your child should not take Beyfortus if your child has a history of serious allergic reactions to nirsevimab-alip or any of the ingredients in Beyfortus. Before your child receives Beyfortus, tell your healthcare provider about all of your child’s medical conditions, including if your child:

• has ever had a reaction to Beyfortus.
• has bleeding or bruising problems. If your child has a problem with bleeding or bruises easily, an injection could cause a problem.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines your child takes, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Your infant should not receive a medicine called palivizumab if they have already received Beyfortus in the same RSV season.

Beyfortus is usually injected in your baby’s thigh.

The most common side effects of Beyfortus include rash and pain, swelling, or hardness at the site of your baby’s injection. In clinical trials, 1.2% of babies who received Beyfortus reported any side effects.

These are not all the possible side effects of Beyfortus. Call your healthcare provider if you have questions about side effects.

Beyfortus is an injection given directly to your baby that provides fast-acting antibody protection (immunization) against serious RSV lung infection. Beyfortus is recommended for newborns and babies born during or entering their first RSV season.

Vaccines are like self-defense instructors. They teach the immune system to create its own antibodies. Beyfortus is a preventive antibody which acts like a bodyguard. The RSV injection helps give the protection that your baby’s maturing immune system can’t yet provide for itself against a serious RSV lung infection.

Serious allergic reactions have happened with Beyfortus. Get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms of a serious allergic reaction:

• swelling of the face, mouth, or tongue
• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• unresponsiveness
• bluish color of skin, lips, or under fingernails
• muscle weakness
• severe rash, hives, or itching

As Beyfortus has been included in the approved immunization schedule, it can be given at the same time as other routine childhood vaccines. This means that it may be available at no cost for parents through private health insurance companies and the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. VFC is a federally funded program that provides vaccines to children at no cost for those who might not be vaccinated because of an inability to pay. There may be an administration fee.