Mandy Moore faced every parent’s nightmare, when both of her sons were diagnosed with a dangerous and potentially deadly virus in 2023.
The actress, 41, who lost her home in the LA fires in January, has revealed that her sons August (Gus), and Oscar (Ozzie) were both diagnosed with Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV.
The virus presents with cold-like symptoms, but can quickly cause infections of the lungs and respiratory tract.
According to the Mayo Clinic, although RSV is a common virus, it can cause severe infections in 12 months and younger, along with older adults and people with heart and lung disease.
‘It was a super helpless feeling,’ Moore told People. She shares both boys with her husband Taylor Goldsmith, 40.
‘I mean, we were lucky in the sense that it didn’t include a hospital trip, but my husband and I were still really shook and very concerned.’
Mandy Moore, 41, and he husband Taylor Goldsmith, 40, faced every parents nightmare when their sons were diagnosed with a dangerous and potentially deadly virus in 2023
When Moore gave birth to her daughter Louise (Lou) in September 2024, she wanted to protect her against possible illness.
‘Even though Lou was going to be born in September, which is technically before the start of RSV season, which runs from fall to spring in the majority of the country, we were determined to find some sort of solution,’ she said.
She and Goldsmith talked to their pediatrician, Dr. Danny Bruckner about it.
‘He was adamant that no matter when a baby is born, even if it’s before or during the RSV season, it’s really, really important to have an extra layer of protection,’ the This is Us actress explained.
Bruckner recommended Beyfortus, a a monoclonal antibody medication used to prevent infants and young children from getting RSV.
According to the National Institutes for Health, between 58,000 and 80,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized with RSV each year, and 100-300 children die from the virus in the US.
‘Lou was lucky to get the very first appointment on Oct. 1. She got immunized, and I was unbelievably reassured and relieved, knowing that she was going to be protected through her first RSV season,’ Moore said.
‘I mean, as a parent, I feel like it really is the best possible situation — you learn from your mistakes, and I feel like this go-around, I was even more prepared.’
Moore’s sons August (Gus), 4, and Oscar (Ozzie), 2, were both diagnosed with Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV which can cause infections of the lungs and respiratory tract
Neither boy had to be hospitalized, however, the NIH reports between 58,000 and 80,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized with RSV each year, and 100-300 children die from the virus in the US
When the singer gave birth to daughter Louise (Lou) in September 2024, she worked with her pediatrician, who recommended Beyfortus, a monoclonal antibody medication used to prevent infants and young children from getting RSV
The In Real Life singer and Dr. Bruckner have partnered with pharmaceutical and healthcare company Sanofi to inform other parents about the protection available to their own children, so they don’t have to go through the same stress and worry Moore and Goldsmith experienced.
‘When it comes to your baby’s health, it’s a really, really personal choice and decision, and I just would implore everyone to have that conversation with their family and, most importantly, with their doctor, and decide what’s best for them,’ the SAG Award winner said.
Bruckner added that he’s seen a good outcomes since introducing the medicine to his patients.
‘When it comes to your baby’s health, it’s a really, really personal choice and decision, and I just would implore everyone to have that conversation with their family and, most importantly, with their doctor, and decide what’s best for them,’ she said
‘In previous seasons, before we were allowed to give Beyfortus, we used to have to hospitalize five to 10 babies a winter for this, and since we’ve been giving Beyfortus, I have yet to hospitalize one baby with RSV.’
Moore and other well known moms, including chef Gaby Dalkin, journalist Elaine Welteroth, gymnast Shawn Johnson East and astronaut Katya Echazaretta have teamed up as a Mom Squad to help spread the word.
‘I think moms have to lean on each other. Nobody gets it like another mom, so that’s why it’s been such a gift to be able to lean on my friends in this particular mom squad,’ she said.
‘Nothing matters more, so being able to share this information that we have and help people protect their babies against RSV; it really goes a long way.’
