This respiratory virus season, all babies born at Niagara Health are now being offered immunization against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prior to being discharged home.
For days, Lucas Benson wasn’t his usual self.
In November 2023, the normally happy-go-lucky and energetic four-month-old developed a cough and fever. Three days after those symptoms first appeared, new and worrisome ones emerged.
“He became super exhausted and was sleeping a lot,” recalls his mom, Brooke Benson. “He went from having his usual four naps a day to only being able to stay awake for up to an hour at a time.”
Not long after his lethargy started, Lucas also began to have trouble breathing – his chest muscles and skin pulled inward with short, shallow breaths. Brooke texted a friend who works as a registered nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Marotta Family Hospital in St. Catharines for advice.
“Until then, I didn’t know much about RSV because I thought, like most parents, it’ll never happen to my kids,” says Brooke, who also has a now three-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Mackenzie.
RSV – the common term for respiratory syncytial virus – typically causes mild, cold and flu-like symptoms such as cough, runny nose, fever, fatigue and a decreased appetite.
RSV is the most common cause of a chest infection called bronchiolitis, and is also the leading cause of infant hospitalization across Canada and the U.S. While babies and young children often have mild illness from RSV, it can also lead to hospitalization and is life-threatening.
In 2023/24, Ontario saw 3,850 hospitalizations in children under two years old for RSV, with 530 requiring intensive care.
Lucas was taken to the Marotta Family Hospital for care.
“Thankfully, it didn’t take long for Lucas to improve after he was admitted and began to receive treatment,” says Brooke. “He got a little better every day, but it was scary. You never think that something like that will happen to your kids.”
For several years, immunization against RSV was only available to preterm, vulnerable babies with one injection a month during respiratory illness season (November to April).
That’s now changing.
Babies born Jan. 1, 2024 or after are eligible to receive an immunization against RSV in Ontario as they enter their first full respiratory virus season, at no cost. The immunization has shown positive results in reducing hospitalizations from the virus.
Dr. Madan Mohan Roy, Chief of Pediatrics at Niagara Health, says RSV spreads easily by direct contact with a person or surface infected with the virus.
“Our team of pediatricians highly recommends that parents immunize their infants against RSV as soon as possible,” Dr. Roy says. “RSV is preventable and can have severe, and even fatal, outcomes.”
This respiratory virus season, babies born at Niagara Health are being offered the immunization before being discharged home.
The immunization, called Beyfortus®, consists of a preventive antibody medication and does not contain a live virus. It can also be received at primary care providers and at select walk-in clinics across the region. If you don't have a health care provider, see doctors accepting new patients and walk-in clinics.
“In 2023/24, 131 children under the age of two were admitted to the hospital with RSV at Niagara Health,” says Natalie Doucet, Director, Women’s, Babies’ & Children’s Health Unit.
“The year prior was a significantly high-pressure year for our pediatrics team; however, during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, we had extremely low admissions for RSV. During the pandemic, people were following infection prevention and control (IPAC) protocols, such as wearing masks, physically distancing and practicing proper hand hygiene, which likely reduced the spread of RSV. There are a lot of takeaways from the pandemic that are still applicable in keeping our most vulnerable community members safe.”
BY THE NUMBERS: Children under the age of two
admitted to Niagara Health with RSV
2023/24: 131
2022/23: 184
2021/22: 80
2020/21: 2
Dr. Roy adds that it can be helpful for parents to take videos of their children breathing normally to use it as comparison for if they are unsure if their child’s breathing patterns are abnormal.
He says that severe symptoms of RSV in young babies and newborns include fever, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, inability to feed and dehydration. Long pauses in breathing and / or, bluish discolouration of lips, nail-beds, indicate baby is in extremis (extremley unwell), and needs emergent medical attention.
“If any of these symptoms occur, parents should bring their child to the Emergency Department right away or call an ambulance,” he says.
In addition to babies being immunized against RSV, there are additional steps to prevent getting sick and passing illnesses onto loved ones during respiratory illness season:
- Keeping vaccinations up to date, including seasonal flu shots, COVID-19 boosters and RSV immunizations
- Properly washing hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer for at least 15 seconds, especially before eating or after sneezing
- Staying home when sick and avoiding contact with other people who are sick
- Setting and respecting boundaries such as not kissing babies – not even on the top of their head or their feet – and not allowing strangers to touch your children. Remember: Protecting your children’s health is more important than protecting other adult’s feelings.
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as a balanced diet, staying active and prioritizing sleep (most young kids should sleep 10 to 12 hours a day)
- Disinfecting high-touch areas at home to prevent the spread of germs
For more information on protecting your child from RSV, please visit pcmch.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/pcmch-rsv-parent-fact-sheet.pdf
