Parenting Advice From Your Physicians at Kaiser Permanente

Last year, we had an easier respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season. This was thanks to use of a new medication (nirsevimab) to help prevent moderate to severe RSV in babies. Nirsevimab is available again now to protect our youngest babies from this serious illness.

What is RSV?

RSV is a common contagious respiratory virus that’s most active between November and March. Almost all kids get RSV at least once by the time they’re age 2. Usually, it’s like a bad cold, with lots of nasal discharge and a cough that can last 2 to 3 weeks. But some children get very ill – especially babies under 6 months, premature infants, and those with underlying heart or lung disease.

Infants often get very sick with their first infection and need to see their doctor. In some cases, RSV can become severe or even life-threatening, especially in very young infants, premature babies, and children with weakened immune systems. Severe infections may require a hospital stay. Subsequent infections in older babies, toddlers, and children are usually milder.

How can I help protect my baby from RSV?

Now, we’re better able to protect young babies with the RSV vaccination given during pregnancy or the nirsevimab antibody injection. Most infants only need 1 of these options – not both. To consider getting the vaccine during pregnancy, talk with your obstetrician.

Nirsevimab provides antibodies and short-term RSV protection for babies.

For the youngest babies, nirsevimab has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help prevent severe RSV disease. It can be given with your baby’s routine vaccinations. The nirsevimab injection is an antibody treatment or “passive immunization” which boosts immunity and works differently than a vaccine. It starts protecting a baby from severe RSV right away. This immunity lasts about 5 months, long enough to get through the RSV season.

Nirsevimab is for babies younger than 8 months (who are entering their first RSV season and did not have nirsevimab previously) and for those babies between 8 and 19 months who are at high risk of developing severe disease. This treatment has been shown to be very effective and safe. In rare cases, babies developed mild fever, rash, tenderness, and swelling at the injection site.

Here are some of the other ways you can help prevent the spread of RSV:

• Wash your hands frequently. If you have an infant, always wash your hands before you touch them, and make sure everyone who touches your baby, including young children, does the same.
• Avoid kissing or touching someone who has RSV.
• Don’t share cups or utensils.
• Wear a mask when you have a cold, fever, or flu symptoms.
• Ask others with cold or flu-like symptoms, including young children, to avoid touching your baby.
• Don’t smoke around your baby, including inside your house or car. Smoking increases your baby’s risk of RSV.
• Stay away from people with cold or flu-like symptoms.
• Avoid large crowds, especially during the fall through spring months.

Surveys have shown that most parents intend to get this safe and effective preventive treatment for their infants. To learn more and to find out if your baby is eligible for nirsevimab, please reach out to your pediatrician.

Resources for Parents

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
RSV Immunization Guidance for Infants and Young Children

The American Academy of Pediatrics
RSV: When It’s More Than Just a Cold