Synagis®: Crista's story about RSV | Thrive Advocate Parents

Crista's story
Twins: Michael and Megan
Gestational age at birth: 33 weeks, 6 days

These twins got special care—and monthly protection from RSV.

On Sept. 2, 2006, Crista gave birth to twins Michael and Megan at almost 34 weeks. They were tiny: Michael was just 3 lbs 10 oz and Megan weighed 4lbs. They both stayed in the NICU for about 20 days in order to gain weight, but luckily they didn't really have any other health issues.

The NICU nurses did warn Crista that her twins were considered at high risk for severe RSV disease. Crista had heard of RSV when her first child was born a few years earlier, but didn't know how serious it could be for preemies. The NICU nurses had plenty of educational materials on hand to help her understand how Synagis® could help protect Michael and Megan.

Michael and Megan didn't even have to leave home for their monthly doses of Synagis.

At first, Crista didn't think getting insurance coverage for Synagis would be easy. But working with her pediatrician to clearly define all of the twins' risk factors and get the right paperwork filled out helped the claims process go smoothly.

Michael and Megan received their first doses of Synagis in September 2006 and they continued getting Synagis for the rest of RSV season from a home healthcare nurse.*

In between doses of Synagis, Crista made sure the twins were not exposed to a lot of germs and sick people. "We kept visits from family and friends short and not everyone gets to hold the twins," she said. But Crista thinks the most important thing is understanding RSV and how Synagis works. "A lot of people think this RSV shot is like a flu shot," she said. "But you don't do it just once. You have to get it once a month [during RSV season]."

* Check with your health insurance provider to see if home healthcare is an option.

Your child's results may vary.

Some names have been changed to protect patient confidentiality.

Make sure you understand how Synagis works.

Kim's story
"I educated my family about RSV, how it wasn't just another cold and what it could do to Brandon's lungs..."

Cheryl's story
"As a NICU nurse, I knew just how important each and every dose of Synagis was for Emily..."

Crista's story
"A lot of people think this RSV shot is like a flu shot. but you don't do it just once. You have to get it once a month..."

Alison's story
"The doctors in the NICU weren't sure if my insurance would cover Synagis for Christopher. But I knew that RSV was serious enough to ask my pediatrician about it..."

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Important Safety Information

Synagis® (palivizumab) is indicated for the prevention of serious lung infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children at high risk of RSV disease. Synagis is given as a shot, usually in the thigh muscle, each month during the RSV season. The first dose of Synagis should be given before RSV season begins. Children who develop an RSV infection while receiving Synagis should continue the monthly dosing schedule throughout the season. Synagis has been used in more than one million children in the U.S. since its introduction in 1998.

Very rare cases (<1 per 100,000 patients) of severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis and rare (<1 per 1,000 patients) hypersensitivity reactions have been reported with Synagis. These rare reactions may occur when any dose of Synagis is given, not just the first one. Also, rare but serious side effects can occur, which may lead to unusual bruising and/or groups of pinpoint red spots found on the skin.

Other side effects with Synagis may include upper respiratory tract infection, ear infection, fever, and runny nose. In children born with heart problems, Synagis was associated with reports of low blood oxygen levels and abnormal heart rhythms. Synagis should not be used in patients with a history of a severe prior reaction to Synagis or its components. Side effects, such as, skin reactions around the area where the shot was given (like redness, swelling, warmth, or discomfort) can also occur.