Respiratory Syncytial Virus holds special danger for young children

More children are coming down with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) at what should be the end of the virus season. It can be dangerous for infants and adults in high-risk categories.

Eight children are currently hospitalized at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska for respiratory disorders. One of those cases is influenza, the other seven are RSV.

The Synagis Clinic at Children’s provides preventative monthly antibody shots for those in the highest risk categories. It’s usually open during the peak RSV season, November through March. However, due to the unusually high number of late season cases, the clinic will remain open an additional month.

Among those getting a shot was 5-week-old Erin Brabander. She weighs just five pounds, six ounces, born seven weeks early. Children born premature, as well as those with heart or lung conditions, are vulnerable to the worst effects of RSV.

“At this stage, something like that could actually kill her,” said her father, Daryl Brabander.

In most children and adults, RSV is a mild virus. “Symptoms with runny nose, a bit of a cough, to much more severe pneumonia and what we call bronchiolitis,“ explains Children’s pulmonologist Dr. Paul Sammut.

“This year we’re seeing that the prevalence of RSV is still high at this time of year and therefore it’s going to last a little bit longer.“

That’s why, he says, the Synagis Clinic will remain open through April. However, the shots are expensive, more than $1,000 each. They are reserved for only high-risk patients. In those cases, the cost is covered by insurance and Medicaid.

The shot little Erin received was just part of what her parents are doing to ensure she has the healthiest start possible, despite being born so early. “We’ve got to take all the precautions we can,” said Daryl. “Frequent hand washing, sanitizing.“

It’s advice doctors say the rest of us should follow. RSV is most often spread by hand contact as well as coughing.

Hard as it was to watch her baby get a shot, Dilek Brabander said taking the step is reassuring in such a difficult RSV season. “She’s our everything.“

If a child has a fever or difficulty breathing, parents should call the doctor. RSV can also be serious for those over 65 years of age, particularly those with breathing disorders like COPD.

Dr. Sammut says most people were exposed to the virus by the age of three. However, that doesn’t make us any more immune to it.

Synagis clinics in Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota have also decided to remain open a month longer, due to higher than usual RSV numbers.