Most people who contract respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) experience mild, cold-like symptoms, but for infants and the elderly the common respiratory virus can be much more serious.

“It can be a really severe illness, especially for babies under 3 months. It’s a tough virus and the littler you are, the littler your airways are. It doesn’t take a whole lot of mucous and infection for that to cause significant issues,” said Dr. Suzanne Mendez, pediatrician with St. Charles Health System, who treats infants hospitalized with RSV every year.

Last winter, Dr. Mendez and her colleagues on the Pediatric unit at St. Charles Bend noticed something unusual: they weren’t treating very many infants with RSV. St. Charles pediatrician Dr. Rebecca Jennings evaluated the data and verified that this was more than just a feeling: very few infants were hospitalized for RSV from November 2023 to March 2024. In fact, it was the lowest RSV season since tracking started in 2018, outside of the winter of 2020 at the height of the pandemic.

While the number of RSV cases fluctuates every year, Dr. Mendez and her colleagues believe there was another factor that likely helped contributed to the decline in cases: newly available vaccines and antibodies for RSV that protected infants. In 2023, two new methods to shield infants from RSV became available: pregnant patients could get an RSV vaccine, which would give immunity to their babies when born; and monoclonal antibodies were available to give to newborns directly to protect them from contracting RSV. Both are reported to have high efficacy for preventing RSV in infants.

“I believe these vaccines are working and helping to protect our vulnerable population of infants,” said Dr. Mendez. “And anecdotally for this past year, none of the babies with RSV on the Pediatric Unit were born to mothers who received the vaccine, so it appears to be very effective at preventing hospitalization.” 

Dr. Sarah Hellmann, an OBGYN with St. Charles Center for Women’s Health, explains that about half of the pregnant patients she saw last year opted to receive the RSV vaccine and she’s hopeful that will increase this year as the vaccine and process become more widely known.

The CDC recommends a single dose of RSV vaccine for pregnant people from week 32 through week 36 of pregnancy for the prevention of RSV disease.

“You can certainly help protect babies with this vaccine,” said Dr. Hellmann, who shared that the RSV vaccine decreased the risk of severe cases of RSV in infants by 81% for the first 90 days of life.

RSV is one of several vaccinations recommended for pregnant patients to help boost immunity in newborns, including TDAP, COVID and flu.

“These vaccines are safe and decrease risks for babies,” said Dr. Hellmann.        

RSV vaccines are available now for pregnant patients at St. Charles Center for Women’s Health. Contact 541-526-6635 for details.

Vaccinations during pregnancy

More videos about vaccinations during pregnancy can be found on the ACOG website.

Care you trust

At St. Charles Center for Women’s Health, we are committed to providing women with the latest health information and services from skilled, compassionate and knowledgeable caregivers. Doctors, midwives, nurse practitioners and medical assistants are part of our team dedicated to helping you achieve your best health. Because our clinic is part of the St. Charles Health System, our patients benefit from ready access to specialized services complemented by the most trusted care in the region.

Our Services

• Routine and preventive care for women of all ages

  • Prolapse and pelvic floor support

  • Sexual health

  • Sexually transmitted infections

  • Nurse navigation support

  • In-office ultrasound tech

  • High-risk OB care

  • Midwifery services and delivery options

  • OB hospitalists

  • Transgender health

  • Same-day birth control appointments

• Care before conception, during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum care

• Behavioral health consultations

• Comprehensive gynecologic care

  • Reversible and permanent birth control

  • Initial infertility evaluation and treatment

  • Well-woman examinations, with current health maintenance recommendations

  • Menstrual disorders

  • Menopause – diagnosis, information and treatment options (Menopause Society Certified Practitioners)

  • Evaluation and treatment of endometriosis and pelvic pain

  • Bladder and urinary problems, including incontinence

  • Initial diagnosis and treatment of gynecologic cancers

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) is more than just the "baby blues." It's a serious mental health condition that affects mothers after childbirth, often characterized by feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety and exhaustion. Unlike the typical fluctuations in mood that many new mothers experience, PPD persists and can significantly interfere with daily life and bonding with the newborn. Symptoms may include overwhelming fatigue, changes in appetite, difficulty sleeping, intense irritability, and a sense of detachment from the baby. It's crucial to recognize that PPD is not a reflection of a mother's ability to care for her child, but rather a biological and psychological response to the immense hormonal changes and new responsibilities of motherhood. With support, understanding and appropriate treatment, mothers can navigate through PPD and emerge stronger, healthier and more connected with their babies.

At St. Charles, we are committed to supporting mothers through their journey into motherhood and recognize the significant and often overlooked challenges that PPD presents. If you feel you're experiencing the effects of postpartum depression, please reach out to your obstetrician or primary care provider for help.