children s health issues
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection and Human Metapneumovirus Infection
Prevention of RSV and hMPV
Good hygiene Nirsevimab(orpalivizumabifnirsevimabis not available) RSV vaccine for pregnant people Practicing good hygiene is an important preventive measure. An ill child and the people in the household should wash their hands frequently. In general, the more intimate physical contact (such as hugging, snuggling, or bed sharing) that takes place with an ill child, the greater the risk of spreading the infection to other family members. Parents must balance this risk with the need to comfort an ill child. Nirsevimabandpalivizumabare two medications that contain antibodies against RSV. These medications are available in the United States for the prevention of RSV in infants and young children.Nirsevimabis the preferred medication, but it may not be available to some infants because of supply limitations. If it is not available, certain infants and children should receivepalivizumab.Nirsevimabis not needed for most infants if their mother was given an RSV vaccine during pregnancy. Nirsevimabis recommended for the following children: All infants younger than 8 months of age who are either born during or who are entering their first RSV season (typically from October through the end of March in most of the continental United States) Children 8 to 19 months of age who are at higher risk of becoming very sick if they get an RSV infection and who are entering their second RSV season Nirsevimabshould be given shortly before the start of the RSV season. Infants who did not receive an injection at the start of the season may be given one at any time during the season. Nirsevimabmay be given before a newborn leaves the hospital. It can be given at the same time as other routine childhood vaccines. Palivizumabis given only ifnirsevimabis not available. This medication is given as a series of injections over the course of RSV season. Two vaccines to prevent RSV are available for older adults. In August 2023, one of these vaccines was approved for use in pregnant people at 32 to 36 weeks gestation (Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine). Giving the vaccine during pregnancy helps protect the newborn from RSV for about 6 months after birth because protective antibodies transfer from mother to fetus through the placenta. These vaccines are not yet approved for children. There is no vaccine to prevent hMPV infection at the present time. 