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Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Respiratory Syncytial
Virus (RSV)
What is RSV
(Respiratory Syncytial Virus)?*
RSV is very common. It is an infection of the lungs.
Most adults and babies just get cold symptoms. But premature babies and those with lung disease can get very
sick. RSV is most common from fall
to spring, but a person can catch it any time of the year.
Is it Easy to Catch
RSV?*
Yes. It
is spread by any physical contact with an infected person, such as touching,
kissing or shaking hands. The germs
are also spread by sneezing or coughing. What’s more, RSV can live for hours
on countertops, toys, towels and blankets, and used tissues.
Exposure is very common in crowded living areas and day-care centers.
Most babies have had an RSV infection by the age of two.
Which factors increase
the risks?*
- Exposure
to tobacco smoke can put the baby at increased risk for serious RSV
infection.
- Day-care
attendance increases exposure because RSV is extremely contagious and easily
transferred from one child to another.
- School-age
siblings can bring the infection home from school, particularly during
“flu” season.
- Crowded
conditions (four or more persons in a household, or sharing a bedroom with
another person) can help spread RXV.
- If
your premature infants were born as twins or triplets, they will be at
higher risk.
- Birth
within six months of the RSV season.
What can you do to
prevent RSV?*
A
person can be exposed to RSV and give it to others without knowing it.
You can help prevent the spread of RSV by:
·
Washing your hands before
touching your baby and asking others to do the same.
·
Keeping you baby away from
crowds of people, especially young children. If they must come close – have them wear a mask.
·
Keeping people with colds away
from your baby.
·
Washing your baby’s toys and
bedding often.
·
Not smoking near the baby, as
exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of RSV illness.
·
Since kissing can spread RSV,
have others hug or stroke instead.
Preventing RSV in Babies and Toddlers at High-Risk for RSV*
Most babies get RSV before they turn 2 years of
age. However, some babies are at
greater risk for RSV. RSV can be
harmful to babies who were born early or with lung problems.
In these children, RSV can cause pneumonia (a serious lung disease),
other lung problems, or sometimes death. Each
year, up to 125,000 babies must stay in the hospital because of RSV.
Synagis® is a medication that can help prevent serious
respiratory illness in babies and young children at high risk for RSV disease.
Full-term babies get natural substances from their mothers to fight RSV and
other viruses. However, babies born prematurely often do not get enough of
these virus-fighting substances before birth.
Each injection of Synagis® gives your baby enough of these
substances to help fight RSV infections for one month. For this reason,
your baby needs one injection of Synagis® every 28-30 days during
the RSV season.
How
is Synagis® given?*
Synagis® is given as a simple injection in the muscle of the
thigh. The procedure is no more complicated than the routine vaccinations
your baby needs.
Will
Synagis® cause discomfort for my baby?*
Synagis® generally causes very little discomfort. Some
babies feel a little warmth, itching, or redness at the injection site, but this
goes away quickly. As with many
other injections, your doctor may ask you and your baby to stay at the office
for a short time after the injection.
Is
Synagis® safe?*
Yes; Synagis® was tested in more than 1,000 babies and found
to be safe and generally well tolerated. A few babies may get a fever,
have diarrhea, or vomit. In
comparison tests of babies who received Synagis® with those who did
not, side effects were similar in both groups. If you have any questions
about possible side effects, be sure to ask your baby’s doctor.
Is
it necessary for my baby to receive all of the monthly injections?*
Yes; it is very important for your baby to receive all of his or her
monthly injections. Each injection
helps protect your baby for about 30 days, so a new injection is needed each
month during the RSV season. The
first injection is generally given one month prior to the start of the RSV
season in your area. If you skip or
postpone an injection, your baby could be in danger of getting serious RSV
disease. For this reason, it's very
important for your baby to receive an injection of Synagis® (palivizumab)
at approximately the same time each month.
If
my baby looks healthy, is it still important to get monthly injections of
Synagis®?*
Yes; even if your baby appears to be healthy, he or she may still be at
risk for severe RSV disease. It’s
important not to skip injections for any reason. If you have any concerns or
questions, be sure to talk to your baby’s doctor.
Will
my baby need Synagis® next year as well?*
This question should be answered by your baby’s doctor.
Some babies remain at risk for RSV for a second year and may need Synagis®
during the next RSV season.
Ordering Synagis
Most insurance companies cover Synagis for patients
who meet the criteria for treatment. Fisher’s
SPS carries Synagis and offer insurance specialists and pharmacists specially
trained in RSV and prophylactic treatment with Synagis.
Fisher’s SPS pharmacists can help counsel you if your babies experience
any reactions due your babies medication or injection site administration.
Fisher’s SPS also offers immediate delivery to your home or
physician’s office depending on where you and your physician determine your
baby’s monthly shot is to be administered.
Call Fisher’s SPS
Today to Order Synagis for your baby 1-888-347-3416
Or Contact Us Online
by clicking on this link: Contact
Fisher’s SPS
* Information provided in
these sections is reprinted courtesty of MedImmune, Inc.
For full Synagis product information, please visit their site at www.medimmune.com
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