Clear answers for curious parents

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a highly contagious. Most of the time, it causes a mild, cold-like illness. But, it can cause serious lung infections in babies quickly and unpredictably. RSV spreads via a cough, sneeze, or by an infected surface like a toy.

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

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

As the infection spreads to the lungs the symptoms can get worse. They include:

• short, shallow, and unusually fast breathing
• a wheezing cough
• nasal flaring
• difficulty eating
• unusual tiredness
• a blue tint to their lips or fingernails
• fever
• developing more severe illnesses like bronchiolitis or pneumonia

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 prevention and detection in babies crucial in safeguarding the health of infants.

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

While they're all respiratory illnesses, they're all caused by different viruses. And, though they all share some symptoms—like fever, cough, and shortness of breath—wheezing (a high-pitched whistling sound that occurs when breathing) is more common in RSV infections than it is for COVID or the flu.

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 for viruses or a blood test to 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 (a high-pitched whistling sound that occurs when breathing).

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 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.

RSV infections usually last for around 7-14 days.

Beyfortus is an preventive antibody that's given as a shot. That means it can help give babies the layer of protection they need to fight against RSV, and it can do it right away. Beyfortus can help prevent serious lung infections, like bronchiolitis and pnuemonia 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 helps reduce the chance of needing medical care due to RSV, which includes 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 injection site. Serious allergic reactions have happened. These are not all the possible side effects of Beyfortus.

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

Yes! According to the AAP, Beyfortus is recommended to all babies under 8 months who are going into their first RSV season. Although severe RSV is uncommon, RSV is a leading cause of hospitalization in babies under 1. Even as babies get older, they can still face complications from RSV, so protection remains important.

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.

Yes, Beyfortus is on the approved immunization schedule for babies and can be given at the same time as other routine childhood vaccines.

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.

It just depends on the baby's weight. Babies below 5kg (around 11 pounds) will get a 50mg dose, while babies above 5kg will get a 100mg dose. Your doctor will select the right dose for your baby.

Beyfortus is an immunization given directly to your baby by injection. It 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. Beyfortus helps give the protection that your baby’s maturing immune system can’t yet provide for itself against a serious RSV lung infection.

Beyfortus has been included in the approved immunization schedule. 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 and immunizations to children at no cost for those who might not be vaccinated because of an inability to pay. There may be an administration fee.

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

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

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

Beyfortus has been studied on over 250,000 babies around the world, including babies born at term, premature babies, and babies with underlying health conditions.