Health experts are urging parents and caregivers to recognize the warning signs of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants and seek medical attention promptly to help prevent severe illness and potentially life-threatening complications.
The call was made during a health discussion organized by Pfizer in partnership with Philippine medical societies at EDSA Shangri-La, under the campaign ‘Ang Bawat Hininga ay Mahalaga.’ The discussion highlighted the health burden of RSV, the importance of early recognition, and measures that can help protect infants against infection.
The roundtable brought together four maternal and child health experts: Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS) Reproductive Health Committee chairperson and board trustee Dr. Anna Belen I. Alensuela; Philippine Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology (PIDSOG) president Dr. Martha Aquino; Philippine Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine (PSMFM) past president Dr. Catherine Joie Carelle Roux Ong; and Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines (PIDSP) current adviser and past president Dr. Anna Ong-Lim.
Recognizing the early signs
RSV symptoms may initially resemble those of the common cold, making it difficult for parents to distinguish the infection from other respiratory illnesses.
‘Symptoms of Covid, RSV, and flu may overlap so we cannot for sure which is which,’ Dr. Ong said.
She identified three warning signs that parents should watch for: rapid or difficult breathing, decreased breastfeeding or feeding, and unusual irritability or low energy.
‘If you will look for the symptoms, it’s not specific to RSV, it’s more of a respiratory problem,’ Dr. Ong explained, emphasizing the importance of seeking medical attention when these symptoms appear.
She cautioned parents against waiting several days to see whether their infant’s condition improves, as delays in seeking care could allow the illness to worsen.
‘You have to recognize that there is something wrong, then you have to bring your baby to the hospital,’ she said, stressing that difficulty breathing requires immediate medical attention.
Wheezing and other unusual breathing sounds are additional warning signs that caregivers should not ignore.
Prevention and protection
While there is no specific cure for RSV, supportive care can help manage the illness. Depending on the severity of the infection, treatment may include maintaining adequate hydration and providing supplemental oxygen or other respiratory support.
Preventive measures also remain important. Regular handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and limiting an infant’s exposure to people who are sick can help reduce the risk of infection.
Pregnancy is another important consideration in protecting infants against RSV. Experts highlighted the role of maternal immunization in helping protect babies during their first months of life, when they are particularly vulnerable to severe respiratory infections.
Dr. Alensuela encouraged pregnant women to adopt precautions similar to those practiced during the COVID-19 pandemic, including wearing masks when appropriate and taking steps to reduce exposure to respiratory infections.
‘You can never tell who has the virus and there is no such thing as a high period of communicability,’ she said.
The experts also emphasized the importance of discussing RSV vaccination with healthcare providers during pregnancy. Maternal vaccination allows the mother’s immune system to produce antibodies that can cross the placenta and help protect the newborn against severe RSV disease.
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‘There is no vaccine for RSV among children, only adults. So, your child could be infected. How will you protect? Vaccination during pregnancy because that is the only time that we can give immunization for the baby as well,’ Dr. Alensuela explained.
‘When we give you immunization, the body develops an antibody against the virus. Now, the baby will just receive the antibody from the mom,’ she added.
The experts cited 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy as the recommended window for RSV vaccination. They also advised pregnant women not to delay discussions with their healthcare providers until the end of this period, as preterm delivery could limit the time available for maternal antibodies to develop and be transferred to the baby.
Parents and expectant mothers should consult their healthcare providers about RSV prevention, including the appropriate timing and availability of maternal vaccination based on current local recommendations and individual circumstances.
Although RSV may begin with symptoms resembling those of a common cold, the infection can become serious in infants. Recognizing warning signs, seeking timely medical care, and taking appropriate preventive measures can help reduce the risk of severe illness and protect babies during their most vulnerable months.