RSV Season Is Here!
- drkurowski
- Nov 11, 2025
- 3 min read
RSV Season is Here!
What Parents Need to Know (and How to Protect Your Baby)
Every fall and winter, Pediatricians see a spike in respiratory illnesses. However, one of the most common and serious infections for infants is RSV — Respiratory Syncytial Virus. It’s a virus that causes cold-like symptoms in most children, but in babies — especially those under 6 months old — it can lead to respiratory distress, pneumonia and sometimes even hospitalization.
What Is RSV?
RSV is Respiratory Syncytial Virus and it is a common virus in the winter months. It spreads through droplets in the air when someone coughs or sneezes, and also by touching contaminated surfaces (like toys or doorknobs) and then touching your nose or mouth. Almost all children have been exposed to RSV at some point but babies can have more severe cases.
It is also known as Bronchiolitis (NOT bronchitis). This means the lower airways in the lungs are inflamed and full of mucous. Young babies do not have a good way of clearing that mucous effectively and this leads to respiratory distress and sometimes wheezing. Just because your child wheezes with bronchiolitis, it does NOT mean that they have asthma. It just means that the air is traveling in a very tight space due to the mucous clogging the small airways.
Common Symptoms
Runny nose
Cough
Sneezing
Fever
Trouble feeding
Or trouble breathing - respiratory distress
If your baby is breathing fast, pulling in at the ribs, flaring their nostrils, grunting, or turning blue around the lips — Call your Pediatrician or go to the Emergency Room right away.
The RSV Monoclonal Antibody: Beyfortus - Extra Protection for Babies
The great news is that there’s now a preventive antibody treatment available — not a vaccine, but something that helps protect babies’ immune systems during RSV season.
It’s called nirsevimab (brand name Beyfortus). It’s a long-acting monoclonal antibody that gives your baby passive protection for about 5 months — the length of RSV season. It means that if your baby gets exposed to RSV, they may show symptoms but will hopefully not get super sick and need emergency care or hospitalization.
With this antibody, we have seen declining cases of hospitalizations due to RSV which is the goal!
Who Can Get the RSV Monoclonal Antibody?
All infants under 8 months old entering their first RSV season (usually October through March).
Some higher-risk toddlers (8–19 months old) entering their second RSV season, such as those born prematurely, with chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease, or weakened immune systems.
Mom's can get a different version while pregnant depending on the time of the year! If a pregnant mother receives the Antibody then the infant does NOT need it.
If you’re pregnant, you can also ask your OB about the maternal RSV vaccine (Abrysvo), given in the third trimester — it helps pass protection to your baby before birth.
When Is It Given?
A single injection — typically given before or during RSV season.If your baby is born during RSV season, it can often be given in the hospital or at the first pediatric visit.
Is It Safe?
Yes. Studies show nirsevimab significantly reduces RSV-related hospitalizations in infants, with very few side effects (most commonly mild redness at the injection site or temporary fussiness).
Other Ways to Protect Your Child
Even with antibody protection, you can reduce RSV risk by:
Washing hands frequently and keeping sick visitors away.
Avoiding crowded indoor spaces during RSV peak season (Holiday season and the Winter).
Cleaning surfaces and toys often.
Bottom Line
RSV is common, but now we have powerful tools to protect babies from severe illness. If your child is under 8 months old, talk to your pediatrician about whether the RSV monoclonal antibody is right for them this season!
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