SAN ANTONIO — RSV is a common respiratory illness that imitates the common cold. But, it is not an illness parents of newborns and toddlers should take lightly.
We are just now entering the season where respiratory illnesses are increasing in numbers. One mother we spoke with knew her child was sick, and got help at just the right time.
"I honestly thought it was just a cough, but it ended up being RSV. Just the way she was breathing. It just wasn't normal," said Diana Rivas is talking about her youngest of three kids, Yaretzi, who has been at University Hospital with RSV last Friday.
She says even though she's already had two children, it didn't make dealing with RSV any easier. Rivas added, "seeing my daughter, you know, going through this. Knowing that that's not her. She's very active and stuff. But she was just down."
Signs of RSV a parent should look out for are a runny nose, fever, cough and wheezing, trouble eating and drinking, and trouble breathing or breathing quickly.
Dr. Mandie Tibball-Svatek, a pediatric hospitalist with University Health told KENS 5, "usually by day three of illness, you're going to know whether it's heightening enough that it becomes concerning."
In July of 2023, the FDA approved nirsevimab, which is a long-acting antibody for infants and young children. On Aug. 3, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended the drug for infants under eight months born in their first RSV season, and for those ages 8 to 19 months who are at an increased risk for severe RSV disease, and entering their second RSV season.
But right now, there is a shortage of the immunization.
"This would have prevented my daughter from getting sick. You know, just, it's horrible," Rivas said.
Dr. Tibbal-Svatek added, "You just try to do the best that you can. But this, unfortunately, is one that is spread pretty easily and is affecting a lot of our children."
Currently, there is a shortage of the RSV monoclonal antibody immunization for babies. You can read more about that here: Health Alert Network (HAN) - 00499 | Limited Availability of Nirsevimab in the United States—Interim CDC Recommendations to Protect Infants from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) during the 2023–2024 Respiratory Virus Season.
There is a new vaccine that was recently approved for pregnant people that can help protect their babies from RSV after birth. You can read more about that here: Healthcare Providers: RSV Vaccination for Pregnant People | CDC.