"There are two options pertinent to children for RSV vaccination. One is that, depending on the season that mom is pregnant, she can get a vaccine during her pregnancy, which will transfer her antibodies to the baby and protect the baby during the RSV season. If, for some reason, that doesn't happen, there's also a monoclonal antibody that infants can get after they're born that will protect them for the whole season."
"RSV season is upon us. The most common reason infants are hospitalized in the US, respiratory syncytial virus is an infectious disease that causes a runny nose, inflamed airways, and a fever. In severe cases, patients may be hospitalized due to dehydration or need oxygen, breathing tubes, or ventilators to assist with breathing. Cases tend to spike in the fall and through the winter, and there's no specific medication that can treat RSV once a child gets it."
"Then, for higher-risk babies, they can also get it during their second RSV season. Vaccines are something that we give to people to spur the development of their own antibodies to prevent disease, but monoclonal antibodies are lab-developed antibodies that we give to people to protect against disease. The patient doesn't have to develop their own, but it does still protect them."
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common reason infants are hospitalized in the US, causing runny nose, inflamed airways, and fever. Severe cases can require hospitalization for dehydration or respiratory support including oxygen, breathing tubes, or ventilators. RSV cases spike in fall and winter, and no specific medication treats RSV once infection occurs. Prevention options include maternal vaccination during pregnancy to transfer antibodies to the baby and an infant monoclonal antibody given after birth to protect for the season. Higher-risk infants can receive protection in a second RSV season. Vaccines stimulate the patient to make antibodies; monoclonals are lab-developed antibodies given for passive protection. An RSV vaccine was FDA-approved in May 2024.
Read at Business Insider
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