Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Clinic

RSV is a common virus that can cause lung infections, especially in children. It usually presents like a cold, with mild symptoms in both children and adults.

Most children will have had RSV by two years old. RSV is more common in the winter during cold and flu season but can start earlier or last longer in some places.

While most kids have mild symptoms, some can get very sick with conditions like bronchiolitis or pneumonia. These serious infections can make it hard to breathe and may need hospital care.

• Bronchiolitis is an infection in the smallest airways of the lungs. When these airways swell and become inflamed, mucus can build up, making it hard to breathe. Most cases of bronchiolitis are caused by RSV.
• Pneumonia is a lung infection that can cause symptoms like coughing, fever, and difficulty breathing, ranging from mild to severe.

RSV spreads through droplets from a cough, sneeze, or from touching an infected surface. The virus can enter the body through the eyes, nose, or mouth. RSV can survive on different surfaces for a while, which makes it easy to spread.

Here’s how:

• On hard surfaces like tables, crib rails or door handles, RSV can live for 6-7 hours.
• On clothing, it can stay for up to 2 hours.
• On skin, like your hands, it can last for about 30 minutes.

RSV symptoms are usually mild and go away in a few days, but can be more serious in babies and older adults, sometimes leading to lung infections and hospitalization.

• Coughing
• Runny nose
• Fever
• Wheezing
• Decreased appetite, ability to drink and reduced energy
• Irritability in young children

Since these symptoms are common, RSV can be mistaken for other illnesses like the flu or COVID-19.

Seek medical attention if your child isn’t drinking enough fluids and is showing signs of dehydration, such as peeing less and having drier diapers. If breathing and wheezing get worse, seek medical attention immediately.

Go to the nearest Emergency Department or call 911 if your child is struggling to breathe.

It is important to wash hands often, clean surfaces, stay home when sick, avoid smoking near your child, avoid large crowd events and avoid touching your face.

There are two approved products in Ontario that can help protect infants from RSV:

• A preventive antibody medication for infants (Beyfortus® – Nirsevimab)
• A vaccine for pregnant individuals (Abrysvo® – RSVpreF)

Only one option is necessary for protection unless advised otherwise by a health care professional. The best available medication to prevent RSV in young children is Beyfortus®.

The Canadian National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends the use of Beyfortus® for infant protection rather than the vaccine during pregnancy, because it is more effective for the prevention of RSV infection, provides long-lasting protection to your child, and is safe.

Beyfortus® protects your baby from RSV in their first RSV season. It may also be given during the second RSV season to children less than 2 years of age who are vulnerable to severe RSV disease. Contact your health care provider if you think your child may be eligible for Beyfortus® if your child is older than 12 months.

Beyfortus® (nirsevimab) is not a vaccine. It works by giving your baby ready-made antibodies that protect against RSV immediately, instead of making the immune system create antibodies to fight infection.

These antibodies help block the virus from infecting your baby’s body and provide protection for at least 6 months, covering the typical RSV season. Over time, the antibodies fade, but they offer strong protection during the most critical months when RSV is most common.

• Monoclonal Antibodies (ready-made antibodies) are proteins that are developed to act like the antibodies your body produces.
• Antibodies are proteins your body makes that help get rid of germs/harmful substances that enter your body, such as bacteria and viruses.

Children up to 24 months of age who remain vulnerable from severe RSV disease through their second RSV season, with:

• chronic lung disease of prematurity (CLD), including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, requiring ongoing assisted ventilation, oxygen therapy or chronic medical therapy in the 6 months prior to the start of RSV season
  • • Note:  Children who were < 12 months of age and approved for coverage in the previous RSV season for chronic lung disease and bronchopulmonary dysplasia remain eligible.
• hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease (CHD) requiring corrective surgery or are on cardiac medication for congestive heart failure or diagnosed with moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension
• severe immunodeficiency
• Down Syndrome / Trisomy 21
• cystic fibrosis with respiratory involvement and/or growth delay
• severe congenital airway anomalies impairing the clearing of respiratory secretions

Source

Contact our clinic to see if your child qualifies.

If a pregnant person plans to decline having their infant immunized, the RSV vaccine Abrysvo™ may be considered as an individual decision, in advance of, or during, the RSV season, to prevent severe RSV disease in their infant.

• A vaccine given to a pregnant person to prevent RSV infection in their baby
• Given between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy if the baby’s due date is near the start of, or during the RSV season
• Helps the pregnant person’s immune system create antibodies that can be passed to the baby during pregnancy and protect the baby from RSV infection until they are 6 months of age

Typically, only one product is advised for infant protection. In alignment with the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, Beyfortus® is the preferred option. Receiving both Abrysvo™ and Beyfortus® is not expected to offer additional benefit.

If Abrysvo™ has been given, the infant will not be eligible to receive Beyfortus®, except in specific cases, which are as follows:

• Infants born less than 14 days after administration of Abrysvo^TM or
• Infants who meet the medical criteria for increased risk from severe RSV disease:
  • All premature infants (i.e., <37 weeks gestation)
  • Chronic lung disease (CLD), including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, requiring ongoing assisted ventilation, oxygen therapy or chronic medical therapy in the six months prior to the start of RSV season
  • Hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease (CHD) requiring corrective surgery or are on cardiac medication for congestive heart failure or diagnosed with moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension o severe immunodeficiency
  • Down syndrome/Trisomy 21
  • Cystic fibrosis with respiratory involvement and/or growth delay
  • Neuromuscular disease impairing clearing of respiratory secretions o Severe congenital airway anomalies impairing the clearing of respiratory secretions

• Your child’s Health Card. The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care requires us to validate your health card at every clinic visit
• Any relevant test results or letters from your child’s doctor or pediatrician
• Any notes or questions that you may have
• List of current medications and allergies
• Immunization card

When you arrive, please check-in at the reception desk. The business clerk will register you in the electronic system so that your team will know that you have arrived.

Staff will do their best to make sure you are seen at your appointment time.  If you feel you have been waiting a long time, please speak with a business clerk at the reception desk.

Note: If your child is ill, please notify reception staff prior to your scheduled appointment.

• RSV & Beyfortus – Parent FAQs
• Protecting your child from RSV (PCMCH fact sheet for parents and expectant parents). Available in the following languages:

• • English
  • French
  • Simplified Chinese
  • Traditional Chinese
  • Arabic
  • Italian
  • Punjabi
  • Spanish
  • Urdu
• RSV Fact Sheet for Indigenous parents, families and caregivers
  • English
  • French
  • Cree
  • Inuktitut
  • Ojibway
  • Mohawk
• Ontario.ca: RSV Prevention Programs
• Immunize Canada
• Canadian Premature Babies Foundation (CPBF)
• Acute care appointments for children 0-5 without a health care provider in the Niagara area
• Milton Halton Healthcare RSV Immunization Clinic: 905-203-7967 (bookings opening November 11, clinic opening November 18)
• Niagara Falls Community Health Centre: 905-356-6666
• Eva Rothwell Centre (460 Wentworth Street N., Unit 100, Hamilton): 289-919-3474