Synagis to prevent RSV?

[kellyds]

Has anyone gotten this shot for their children? Joshua has a heart defect and the pediatrician said we might think about it.

[Staci]

My daughter has a heart defect and this is her second year of the synagis shot (my son with DS had a VSD and never had the shot). She has never had RSV, thank goodness (am knocking on wood!). Her cardiologist and her surgeons both told me it would be better to get the shot then to get RSV. Parker has been very healthy thus far, no problems...although she definitely hates the shot But, like I keep reminding myself what the doc's said. Only 2 more months of it, then we're done for good.

[Jenifer]

My daughter also got the shot, and she does not have a heart defect. She only got it for one year, October through April, and she stayed healthy that whole time. Not only did she not get RSV, she also didn't catch all the upper respiratory infections she had been getting before the shot. If it's available and your insurance will pay, I recommend doing it. It's a way to help prevent a potentially life-threatening illness and our kids need all the extra help they can get. Good luck to you!

Jenifer, mom to Joy

[MatureMomG]

My dd, 19 months is just getting over her FIRST cold. Nothing for 19 months. No ear infections, no colds. (A few times I thouhgt she was getting one, but nothing developed.) She has not had this shot.
Sometimes I think the more we "do" to our kids, the more their tiny systems have to put up with and the less able they are to handle anything. SOMETIMES.
There is a time and place for all medical interventions, each family must decide for themselves what they feel is best for their child.

And from what I have read, having RSV is very serious. Personally, I'm just not sure the "shot" is the best way to prevent it. (But then, I don't believe in vaccinations, either. Not to start a big debate on the subject, but there is more than one way to do things.)

Perhaps in our case, extended breastfeeing has helped her immune system, and becasue we homeschool the other kids aren't "bringing home as many germs" than if they went to school. (Not to imply we never go out, they just don't spend 8 or more hours in a confined space with 25-30 other people, some of whom may be ill or incubating illnesses.)

I would recommend studying the issue (I know that is hard- you have a new baby), talking with parents, and making an informed decision.

BTW, Rosemary had two small heart problems, both of which resolved themselves within a month after birth (PDA and ASD) on their own.

Yours in Christ,
Kathy

[matthew'smom]

My son, Matthew, was born with complete AV Canal and he had the RSV shots the first year of his life. I can't say that he didn't get sick at all, but he didn't get the RSV virus. It is VERY expensive, so make sure that your insurance covers it.

[sharen]

I have never heard of this shot , Jordan doesnt have any heart problems , but he does have alot of resipitory problems. What exactly is RSV. Just wondering if I should ask his doctor about it.

Sharen

[ALLISA]

Hi everyone,

My daughter did recieve the shots for her first two years as she had a heart defect as well. I was clueless on RSV and the Synagis shots....but so grateful that my doctor was "on the ball". She petioned my insurance company for me & was able to get her approved.

It is a series of shots....one a month....from Fall to Spring...I think we did November to March/April. Just be aware that it isn't a one time vaccination.....but now that the season is so late.....it may only be one shot for this year.

The shots are shockingly expensive.....over $1,000 per shot !! Ridiculous .....these medical companies....but that again is another debate for another time !! LOL

My duaghter thankfully has NEVER been sick beyond a runny nose ! Was part of it due to the shots ? Who knows ? We also did a flu shot in the years after the Synagis shot. And she goes to school full time as well as gymnastics & horseback riding.....so we are all around germs !!

RSV can be very dangerous.....good luck with your decision !

[ALLISA]

Another note....RSV is usually only dangerous to infants....Sharen.....I noticed your question & your son is five.....he is most likely out of risk at that age

[Evans Dad]

Go for it - Evan is almost 2.5 and he is probably getting his last RSV shots this year. We were lucky, he has received them from birth until now during the RSV season. One thing to make sure is that it is set up properly through your pediatrician and insurance, it is a very expensive shot if not set up right. Evan weighs just over 20lbs and his shots (he gets 2 each month) are a total of about $2300.00, don't want to get stuck with that bill.

[Betty & Ian's Mom]

Sharen, RSV is a cold like virus, that can be very dangerous to preemie's, any baby/infant/young toddler (age 2-3 yrs. old) who has lung or heart issues or babies that haven't recieved fighting substances (antibodies) from their mother (breast milk). If a baby is wheezing, cough, fever, lips are blue, they should be seen and tested for RSV immediately, they usually can check for RSV by simply swabbing the inside of the nose. They did this with my son Ian when he was 17 months old and having a wheezing attack, fortunately he didn't contract RSV but ended up having juvinielle (sp??) asthma, however he did recieve the shots for 2 years & so did my Betty with ds recieved them for 2 years as well because of her heart defect she was born with. I do agree with everyone that these shots are very expensive, ours was $2000.00 twice a month, thank GOD that our insurance covered it !! Also, wanted to add the usually the RSV season is fall through spring, but any child can contract this virus year round. I would get the shot. This is nothing to mess around with.

[Deannalee]

My son, Justin, is a surviving identical twin with DS. He was born 11 weeks premature weighing 1 lb 14 oz, 12 in long. He has gotten the Synagis every RSV season. I give him his shots Nov-April. He desperately needs them, even though he doesn't have heart issues. He has chronic lung disease and it seems all those bugs out there compromise his respiratory system. I know it has helped to save his precious life. He has been on and off of O2 since birth and I believe our pulmonologist said that as long as his lungs are compromised, he will continue receiving the vaccination.

Deanna

[keeransmom]

:)Hello!
Welcome to Uno Mas and a new world with DS.
I can imagine you are reeling right now and wondering lots of things. There is a great thread that should be in the files at Uno Mas on What's so good about having a baby with DS you should read. It will bless you!
Anyway, About synagist. Keeran, my son, who is now 19 months old is on his last shots now. We gave them to him for the last two years during the RSV season. I am sure your Ped will have DVD's or videos that explain how it works and why they recommend it. We did it because our insurance covered 90%, and thought, if it lessened his chances of getting it and ending up in ICU again, we thought it was worth it. He didn't get RSV ever, but he did get a bad case of Broncilitis once, and ended up in the hospital for 4 days. I think it I was to do it again I would even though it was so expensive. I guess I felt God would provide for it and I prayed He would and He did.
Also, just for FYI, we eventually had Keerans tonsils and adnoids removed...not a fun experience and hard to do with such a sweetie, but when he was done nursing, we did it and he has been so much clearer and healthier than ever before.
Write more later if you want.
Debby