It’s the holiday season, a time for family and friends to celebrate and gather. But for parents, there is one guest you don’t want to inadvertently add to your RSVP list: The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
RSV is a highly contagious seasonal virus that is contracted by nearly all infants by the age of two. In most babies, RSV causes a mild respiratory infection; however, for some – especially babies who are considered high risk – RSV can develop into a much more serious infection.
While this common virus can be contracted at any age, RSV is especially hard on newborns with developing immune systems. RSV is the leading cause of hospital admissions in the United States for children in their first year of life.
The typical RSV season begins by November in the U.S. and continues to circulate through April. Where there are warmer year-round climates, in areas such as Florida, Hawaii or Puerto Rico, the season may begin earlier and last longer. For most of the country, RSV cases start climbing right after Thanksgiving and usually peak around the Christmas and New Year’s holidays in late December.
To keep your newborn healthy this holiday season, experts advise parents to take a few simple steps to avoid, prevent, and identify RSV.
First, caution is required during peak times. “With RSV circulating in the community, it is OK to leave off families with newborns from your guest list,” says Tara Gonzales, M.D., who serves as a Senior Medical Director at Sobi North America and is a board-certified pediatrician.
Why? “Because we're all inside,” Gonzales explains. “It's starting to get cold. We're communing. We all had a great Thanksgiving, everybody got together and spread the love … and spread viruses.”
She cautions new parents to also fight the urge to go to the mall for that first family photo session with Santa Claus. Instead, wait a year until the child’s immune system is stronger.
“I promise, the picture will be much cuter next year,” Gonzales says.
That’s because there’s likely spread of the respiratory virus anywhere people gather in an enclosed location. Gonzales is an avid sports fan and one of her barometers is football and basketball games. How crowded are the stands? “Everybody is jumping up and down, screaming and hollering, and spitting all over each other,” she says.
The general public frequently encounters RSV at events like these, and many probably catch it, with common cold symptoms showing up later. While most don’t get seriously ill, they pass it along to others, fueling the seasonal outbreak.
That’s why parents with infants should refrain from inviting a lot of guests over to visit in their baby’s first few months of life and it’s not a good idea to venture out to other celebrations either. Let family and friends know you are keeping it low-key this year, and plan to make up for it next year. It’s doctor’s orders!
This is especially important guidance for a child with a compromised immune system, because an RSV infection can have a greater impact on premature infants or those who are at high risk of serious lower respiratory disease. This includes infants and children with chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease, or other problems that either inhibit the ability to build immunity or a neuromuscular issue curtailing the ability to cough.
If you do have holiday guests, consider asking them to follow these recommendations:
This can provide added protection from any respiratory droplets that contain the live virus. RSV is hardy and is capable of surviving on non-porous surfaces for up to eight hours.
Prevent the Spread of RSV
Immunization is an additional layer of protection for the most vulnerable.
Humans don't develop a ‘durable immunity’ to RSV. An infected person might be protected afterward for only about six months, says Gonzales. But if you get exposed to RSV again after those six months, you are more likely to contract another infection.
With some viral infections like varicella (chickenpox), humans develop durable adaptive immunity and are unlikely to suffer a second infection after the first bout. Human beings don’t develop durable immunity against RSV.
“So, the best prevention is immunization,” Gonzales says.
“If you don't want to spread it, then you need to immunize against it,” Gonzales explains. “I'm a general pediatrician by training and I'll always stand strong on prevention. I'm always going to stand strong in terms of immunization, active and passive.”
Gonzales first became passionate about RSV prevention when she was a medical resident.
“Seeing these small babies so sick, and seeing their parents just completely blown away by what is happening to their infant,” Gonzales says. “In their mind, they think that this is supposed to be the most joyous time, and all of a sudden their world comes crashing down; you never forget it.”
Determining If It’s RSV
Often, it’s initially hard to tell the difference between RSV and a common cold within the first 12 hours because both may present with just a runny nose and maybe a little bit of coughing.
Contact your pediatrician if symptoms worsen and a baby starts to show signs of respiratory distress. These signs can include the following:
These symptoms can be scary, especially since there is no cure for RSV. Treatment is supportive.
Healthcare professionals are adept at supporting babies’ respiratory, fluid and nutritional status until the body is able to clear the infection and sometimes this support will require hospitalization.
“This is why prevention is so important,” Gonzales says.
The good news is that there are multiple prevention modalities available to stop the spread. These include monoclonal antibodies for infants and young children, as well as vaccines for pregnant people and older adults. Talk to your healthcare provider about which method is best to protect your most vulnerable family member.
To find out more about available treatment options, talk to your pediatrician and also click here to learn more.