RSV is a silent threat to infants, but we can stop it.

Respiratory illness season is just a few months away, and protecting infants from preventable viruses and diseases should be a consideration for parents. As infants are more vulnerable during their first few months of life, it is important for parents to be informed about available options and preventative measures to help protect their young ones.

Among the most common diseases seen in infants is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Similar to other seasonal respiratory illnesses, RSV cases are generally seen during the winter months, from November to April, leading to a wave of hospital admissions and a substantial burden on our healthcare system.

RSV often causes mild, cold-like symptoms such as coughing, congestion and fever. However, some cases do lead to more severe respiratory infections like pneumonia and bronchiolitis. In fact, 20-30 per cent of infants infected with RSV will develop these serious conditions.

Alarmingly, 90 per cent of infants in Canada will contract RSV at least once before they turn two years old. For infants under six months, RSV is the leading cause of hospitalizations not related to birth complications. Further, RSV infections account for 9 per cent of all hospital admissions among infants for non-birth related causes. This not only strains hospital resources but also imposes a heavy toll on parents, including lost work productivity, stress, anxiety, out-of-pocket costs, and in some cases, grief.

Preventative strategies are essential to reduce the toll of RSV on children, parents, and the healthcare system. One of the most effective tools in public health for preventing severe illness is vaccination, and RSV is no exception. In Canada, several preventative measures are available, including the immunization of pregnant individuals to provide passive immunity to their infants.

Immunizing pregnant individuals is a proactive strategy that helps protect newborns and young infants during their most vulnerable first few months of life. This approach has been successfully used to prevent other infections, like whooping cough, and it’s now an option for RSV.

During pregnancy, antibodies (proteins that help defend your body against infections) are naturally passed from the mother to the baby across the placenta. These antibodies help protect the baby until the baby is able to receive direct immunization.

Maternal immunization against RSV is one effective way to help prevent severe illness in infants. I encourage parents and parents-to-be to proactively engage in conversations with their trusted healthcare providers about RSV and the best ways to protect their children. Understanding the risks and the preventative tools available can empower parents to make informed decisions that safeguard their children’s health.

As we continue to navigate the challenges posed by RSV, collective efforts in prevention and education will be key to reducing its impact. By staying informed and proactive, we can better protect our youngest, most vulnerable patients.

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^{Dr. Yaremko is a pediatrician at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. He is co-director of the annual Practical Problems in Pediatrics conference at McGill University and he also organizes annual conferences on GI and Nutrition, ADHD and Immunization and Prevention. He is also assistant professor in the department of pediatrics and the department of family medicine at McGill University.}