Helping to protect your child from respiratory syncytial virus (RVS)
RSV can cause symptoms of the common cold and is very contagious. Most children have had this infection by the time they are 2 years old. They develop a fever, runny nose and cough.
Sometimes, children with certain conditions are at risk for a more severe RVS infection, which requires hospitalization. Their lower airways become inflamed or filled with mucus, making it hard to breathe.
Children at risk for a severe RSV infection include:
- Children under 2 years of age who were born at or before 29 weeks
- Children with lung disease, heart defects, diseases of the muscles or abnormalities of the airway
We provide a medicine called Synagis to children who are at a high risk for developing a severe RSV. Synagis is a shot that is given monthly.