Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) hospitalizes 58,000-100,000 babies newborns each year. Until 2023, no medication was available to prevent infants from developing RSV infections. In the fall of 2023, the FDA approved a preventive treatment called nirsevimab, which is known as a monoclonal antibody. A new study shows that during the 2024/2025 respiratory virus season, nirsevimab effectively protected babies against RSV. Specifically, infants given the monoclonal antibody had an 83% lower risk of hospitalization from RSV. The preventive drug also lowered the risk of intensive care stays by 81%. Additionally nirsevimab reduced lower respiratory tract infections by 75% in infants less than 12 months of age.
Full Story: HealthDay
