What is RSV?
What parents need to know
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common and highly contagious virus that can lead to respiratory infection in babies. RSV is unpredictable, and though most of the time it will cause a mild, cold-like illness, babies can develop serious RSV lung infections. RSV spreads when droplets from a cough, sneeze, or infected surface get inside the eyes, nose, or mouth.
RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization in babies under 1.
2 out of 3 babies will get RSV by age 1.
RSV is unpredictable—it's hard to know which babies will get it or how severe it may become.
When is RSV season?
The typical RSV season starts in the fall and lasts through spring, but exact timing can vary depending on where you live. In most areas, Beyfortus is available on October 1, right before the season gets underway.
Olympian mom, everyday challenges
Shawn Johnson has faced pressure on the Olympic stage, but RSV brought a new kind of challenge to her family. Their experience proved just how unpredictable the virus can be. They learned firsthand how quickly it can spread and how even careful planning doesn’t always protect little ones. For their third child, they chose Beyfortus for protection from serious RSV lung infection. Watch their story to see what they learned about RSV.
Watch as Shawn shares her story and the impact RSV has had on her family.
“Trying to keep her (Drew, firstborn) and the baby (Jett) separate those first few days and weeks... was so difficult. Fast forward, Jett turned 6-months-old and he ended up coming down with RSV.”
Shawn Johnson-East—Olympian and mom of Drew, Jett, and Barrett
Read about Shawn’s RSV experience
SHAWN: Drew, our 4-year-old, got RSV right when our son, Jett, was born. We literally brought him home from the hospital and a day later she started getting really sick.
I had heard about RSV but didn’t realize that 2 out of 3 babies get it by the age of 1.
Trying to keep her and the baby separate those first couple of days and weeks of his life was so difficult. Fast forward, Jett turned six months old, and he ended up coming down with RSV. We didn’t know it at the time–it presented itself like a cold. But in the middle of the night one night, Jett started really, really struggling to breathe. Just with his coughing. And, when they’re unable to breathe, it’s the scariest thing a parent will ever go through.
ANDREW: You could see, how, how strained he was just trying to breathe. I got chills even just thinking about it. It really was, it really was one of the toughest nights as a parent.
SHAWN: At the time, we weren’t pregnant with our third, but when we got pregnant, we had found out that we were having a winter baby. It was like peak season for RSV. We definitely did a lot of research as parents having a baby on Beyfortus and whether we should get it or not. Beyfortus helps prevent a serious lung disease caused by RSV. For babies under one born during—or entering their first RSV season, and certain kids up to 24 months. Your child should not take Beyfortus if your child has a history of serious allergic reactions to nirsevimab a-l-i-p or any of the ingredients in Beyfortus. I talked about it, and the common side effects, with my baby's doctor.
Our OBGYN, pediatricians, every on-call pediatrician—they all highly encouraged it.
ANDREW: Even with food or the sleep schedule, are you going to do sleep training or not? Everyone has a lot of opinions, but for us, the people that we look up to, the research that we did, and it was such an easy decision.
SHAWN: I wish RSV would go away forever and never come back. However, I do think I feel a comfort that I didn’t feel before with Drew and Jett since Beyfortus wasn’t available.
It was this terrifying thing of like, please just don’t get it, don’t get RSV, do not get sick because we don’t know what’s going to come of it. After consulting our OBGYN, our pediatrician, and our community, it was definitely the right choice for us.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
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.
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
The most common side effects of Beyfortus include rash and pain, swelling, or hardness at the site of your child’s injection. These are not all the possible side effects of Beyfortus. Call your healthcare provider if you have questions about side effects.
INDICATION
Beyfortus is a prescription medicine used to help prevent a serious lung disease caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in:
- Newborns and babies under 1 year of age born during or entering their first RSV season.
- Children up to 24 months of age who remain at risk of severe RSV disease through their second RSV season.
Please see the full Prescribing Information including the Patient Information at the top of this site.
The serious side of RSV
Little lungs are still developing and can be especially vulnerable to RSV.
- For some babies RSV can escalate quickly, moving from mild cold-like symptoms to hospitalization in under a week.
- Compared to the flu, babies are 16 times more likely to be hospitalized with an RSV lung infection.
- Once admitted, the average stay is 3 to 4 days, often involving breathing support and oxygen therapy to help them recover.
Ask your baby’s doctor about Beyfortus, which can help reduce the need for medical care if your baby gets serious RSV infection.
When RSV becomes an emergency
RSV symptoms can worsen quickly and lead to serious illness. Get medical help right away if your baby shows signs of dehydration, such as persistent vomiting or not having a wet diaper for more than 12 hours. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if your baby is struggling to breathe, making grunting noises, or showing signs of severe distress. Trust your instincts—if something feels wrong, get help.
Simple ways to help protect your baby this RSV season
RSV is common—and while you can’t keep every germ away, there are steps you can take to help protect your little one. Here are some ways moms often help lower the risk:
Wash your hands often, and have visitors do the same before holding your baby.
Limit close contact with sick people, even if it’s “just a cold.”
Skip crowded indoor spaces during peak RSV season, especially with newborns.
Clean and disinfect surfaces and toys your baby touches often.
Ask your pediatrician about Beyfortus. It’s a one-time dose of preventive antibodies that can help protect your baby through the RSV season, typically five months.
Some children may need another dose if they’re still at higher risk in their second RSV season, or if they’ve had heart surgery.
A little prevention now can go a long way. These steps can help you lower your baby’s chances of getting seriously ill from RSV.
Know the signs of RSV:
From first sniffle to serious symptoms
At first, RSV can look like an ordinary cold with a runny nose, a cough, maybe a mild fever. But in some babies, it can quickly progress to more serious symptoms like wheezing or trouble breathing. Knowing what to watch out for means you can act fast if your baby’s condition changes.
Have more questions about RSV?
Learn more about Beyfortus
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.
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
The most common side effects of Beyfortus include rash and pain, swelling, or hardness at the site of your child’s injection. These are not all the possible side effects of Beyfortus. Call your healthcare provider if you have questions about side effects.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information, for more details.
Click here to learn more about Sanofi’s commitment to fighting counterfeit drugs.
Beyfortus is a prescription medicine used to help prevent a serious lung disease caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in:
- Newborns and babies under 1 year of age born during or entering their first RSV season.
- Children up to 24 months of age who remain at risk of severe RSV disease through their second RSV season.
