Medicines to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection
Preventive medicines are usually used only for babies and children who have a higher risk of developing complications if they become infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). These medicines are not used to treat someone who already has RSV infection.
- RSV-IGIV (RespiGam) is an immune globulin medicine, which contains a large number of antibodies against RSV. It is given through a vein (intravenous, or IV) once a month during the winter months.
- Palivizumab (Synagis) is a medicine containing laboratory-produced antibodies designed to help prevent RSV infections. RSV infections that develop despite being given this medicine are usually less severe. Palivizumab is given by injection into the muscle (intramuscular, or IM) once a month during the winter months. Palivizumab was developed after RSV-IGIV. RSV-IGIV may eventually be replaced by palivizumab.
No standard preventive immunization exists because there is more than one type of RSV and many subtypes (strains). Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine that is effective for the general population at a reasonable cost.
| Author: | Amy Fackler, MA Debby Golonka, MPH | Last Updated: August 9, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease | |
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