With the arrival of fall in Houston, where we count the days until temperatures and humidity levels subside, expectations for this beloved season are high. At Texas Children's Hospital, fall also heralds the beginning of respiratory season. While many viruses can cause respiratory symptoms in children, some are more serious than others. Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is one such virus. RSV is well known to many parents as a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Ask any parent and they will likely tell you that their child or a child they know had RSV— in fact, nearly every child will get RSV by the time they are 2 years old. However, while most parents know about RSV, many underestimate the risk it poses to infants, not realizing it can lead to serious complications such as bronchiolitis (inflammation of the airways) or pneumonia (infection in the lungs).
The Martinez family was one such family.
Dan and Marissa’s 2-year-old son, Daniel, had RSV when he was an infant. They remember it required nothing more than a doctor’s visit. However, when their 5-month-old daughter, Mallory, was more recently diagnosed with RSV, they were concerned but never imagined it could lead to severe complications.
While the family was on a weekend getaway, Mallory developed congestion and a runny nose. Within a few hours, her symptoms worsened, her breathing became labored and Mallory was admitted to the local hospital. It soon became clear her health was deteriorating, so she was flown to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas. She was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) and diagnosed with pneumonia. A breathing tube was inserted and she was placed on a ventilator, a mechanical device to help her breathe. She also required a feeding tube for nutrition, as she could no longer eat on her own. In total, Mallory spent eleven days in the hospital.
RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization of infants in the U.S. Two to three of every 100 children with RSV will need hospitalization because of difficulty breathing or feeding. When Dan and Marissa reflect on their family’s experience, they are now very aware of the risks of RSV and how differently things could have ended for them. “Our son was fine after getting RSV, but Mallory wasn’t. All babies are at risk of complications from RSV and it’s really the luck of the draw if your child is the one who suffers or dies from it,” says Dan.
Marissa adds, “It’s incredibly painful as a parent to watch your child suffer. When Mallory was in the hospital, all we could do was hope and pray.”
Regretfully, Marissa and Dan were unaware that an RSV preventive shot, a monoclonal antibody, is recommended for infants Mallory’s age as well as some young children at highest risk of severe RSV. The preventive shot, Beyfortus, is a long-acting antibody that provides an important layer of defense to prevent severe RSV infections. Real-world studies have shown Beyfortus to be 90% effective at protecting infants from RSV-associated hospitalization during their first respiratory season.
As an alternative to Beyfortus, pregnant persons can be vaccinated against RSV. Abrysvo is a maternal RSV vaccine recommended between weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy. Vaccination during pregnancy passes protection from the mother to her newborns and can prevent severe RSV disease in infants. Both the monoclonal antibody for babies (Beyfortus) and the maternal vaccine (Abrysvo) are recommended before and during RSV season, which typically occurs from fall to the end of spring.
“Vaccines and preventive therapies are undeniably effective at preventing disease. They give your child the best chance of not having serious illness from RSV,” states Dan. “RSV is deadly and it’s not a risk I’d be willing to take after seeing how seriously our daughter got sick.”
As you and your family prepare for the arrival of Halloween and holiday family gatherings, please remember – protecting your infant is critical to ensuring a safe and healthy holiday season. Reach out to your pediatrician to schedule an appointment or learn more about this life-saving immunization.
Patient Stories
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Patient Stories
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