For Consumers
For Consumers
For Consumers
For Consumers
Watch videos and read stories about parents just like you, tap into an extended community of RSV experts and advocates, and find helpful links, answers, and more.
Knowing about severe RSV and how to help protect your high-risk baby is important. It's also good to know you're not the only one going through this.
Downloads for SYNAGIS
Learn more about how SYNAGIS may help your baby (PDF)
Key facts about SYNAGIS and how it can help prevent severe RSV disease
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Helpful information about resources available to help pay for SYNAGIS
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Ready to learn more? Explore these RSV-related links.
American Heart Association
Active and Passive Tobacco Exposure: A Serious Pediatric Health Problem
American Lung Association
Understanding RSV Disease
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health
MedlinePlus: Respiratory Syncytial Virus
When it comes to your baby's health, every parent has questions. You’ll find answers to commonly asked questions about SYNAGIS and RSV below. But remember, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor about SYNAGIS and your baby's health first.
No. SYNAGIS [si-nah-jis] is an FDA-approved prescription injection of antibodies that is given monthly to help protect high-risk infants from severe RSV disease throughout the RSV season. Each dose provides protection for about 28–30 days.
Your child's healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions on when SYNAGIS will be given. SYNAGIS is needed every 28-30 days during the RSV season. Each injection of SYNAGIS helps protect your child from severe RSV disease for about 1 month.
Yes. No matter how your baby looks, they may still be at high risk for severe RSV disease. Your doctor will tell you when RSV season has ended and your baby can stop their monthly injections of SYNAGIS.
Most high-risk babies won't need SYNAGIS for a second season. But babies who remain high risk for severe RSV disease in their second year may need SYNAGIS for more than one RSV season. Ask your doctor if your baby will need SYNAGIS for a second season.
RSV is a seasonal respiratory virus that is easily spread and typically causes mild to moderate cold-like symptoms. But in certain high-risk children, it can cause a serious lung infection.
RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs) and/or pneumonia in children under 1 year of age in the US. In fact, almost all children get RSV before they turn 2 years old.
Babies born prematurely at 35 weeks or less and children 24 months or younger with certain heart or lung conditions are at high risk for severe RSV disease. In these babies, RSV can lead to hospitalization due to serious lung infections such as bronchiolitis and/or pneumonia.
Like the flu, RSV is a seasonal virus. The season varies from one part of the country to the next, but usually starts in fall and continues into spring. In some states such as Alaska, Hawaii, and parts of Texas and Florida, for example, the length of the RSV season may be different. To find out when RSV season starts in your area, talk to your baby's doctor.
Most children with RSV disease suffer only mild to moderate cold-like symptoms. But for some high-risk babies, RSV disease can be more severe. Infants born at 35 weeks or less and children 24 months or younger with certain heart or lung conditions are at high risk for serious lung infections such as bronchiolitis and/or pneumonia.
Some signs and symptoms of severe RSV disease include:
Like the flu, RSV can be spread by sneezing, coughing or physical contact, such as touching or shaking hands. RSV can live up to 7 hours on countertops and other surfaces. It can spread very quickly in daycare centers and crowded households. As a result, nearly all babies get RSV disease by the age of 2.
Here are some of the main factors that can increase your baby's risk for severe RSV disease:
Additional risk factors for premature infants may include:
Yes. RSV is a virus, and just like some other viruses, it is possible for your baby to get RSV disease more than once. After each RSV infection, your baby may become more immune to the virus, but he or she is never completely immune.
There are many preventive measures that you can do to help ensure your baby doesn't get it again.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for RSV disease. However, there are several preventive measures you can use to help protect your baby.
No. Your baby cannot get RSV until he or she is born.
SYNAGIS is a prescription medication that is injected (50 mg and 100 mg) in certain children to help prevent serious lung disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). You should know that SYNAGIS is used to prevent RSV, and not to treat children who already have RSV, including children:
SYNAGIS is a prescription medication that is injected (50 mg and 100 mg) in certain children to help prevent serious lung disease caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). You should know that SYNAGIS is used to prevent RSV, and not to treat children who already have RSV, including children:
You Should Know: It is not known if SYNAGIS is safe and works in children who are over 24 months old when they started taking SYNAGIS.
You Should Know: SYNAGIS may cause severe allergic reactions.
You Should Know: SYNAGIS is given by injection. If the child has a problem with bleeding or bruises easily, an injection could cause a problem.
Before the child takes SYNAGIS, you should tell the child’s healthcare provider about all their medical conditions and medicines including vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies.
The most common side effects are fever and rash.
You Should Know: These are not all the possible side effects for SYNAGIS. For more information, ask the child’s healthcare provider or review the full Prescribing Information for SYNAGIS, including Patient Information.
If you suspect that a child has experienced a side effect, call the child’s healthcare provider. You may also report side effects to Sobi North America at 1-866-773-5274 or the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at 1-800-FDA-1088.
AstraZeneca has transferred all rights to SYNAGIS (palivizumab) to another manufacturer, Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (SOBI), in January of 2019. If you need SYNAGIS support, please contact SYNAGIS CONNECT® at (866)-285-8419(866)-285-8419.
