Mandy Moore's Harrowing RSV Ordeal: How She Protected Her Third Child
SHOCKING ORDEAL: Mandy Moore's Sons Battled Deadly Virus, But She Found a Miracle Solution
In a harrowing tale of motherhood and medical mayhem, actress Mandy Moore has revealed that her two young sons, August (Gus) and Oscar (Ozzie), were diagnosed with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in 2023. The virus, which causes cold-like symptoms, can quickly turn deadly, especially for infants under a year old and older adults.
The 41-year-old actress, who lost her home to the LA fires in January, has bravely shared her family's ordeal with People magazine, shedding light on the often-overlooked dangers of RSV. "It was a super helpless feeling," Moore confessed, describing the anxiety she felt as a mother watching her babies battle for their lives.
The actress, who shares both boys with husband Taylor Goldsmith, 40, explained that their pediatrician, Dr. Danny Bruckner, recommended a game-changing solution: Beyfortus, a monoclonal antibody medication used to prevent infants and young children from getting RSV. This innovative treatment has been hailed as a lifesaver by medical professionals and desperate parents alike.
According to the National Institutes for Health (NIH), between 58,000 and 80,000 children under five are hospitalized with RSV each year in the US, with 100-300 fatalities recorded annually. Moore's family was lucky to avoid hospitalization, but she was shaken by their experience. "I mean, we were really shook and very concerned," she admitted.
Determined to protect her newborn daughter Louise (Lou), who arrived in September 2024, Moore sought out Dr. Bruckner's advice on the best course of action. Even though Lou was born before RSV season began, which runs from fall to spring in most countries, Moore and Goldsmith were adamant about taking extra precautions.
Bruckner was adamant that no matter when a baby is born, an additional layer of protection is essential against RSV. He recommended Beyfortus for Louise, which Moore praised as a "miracle solution." The actress explained that the medication gave her and Goldsmith peace of mind, knowing their daughter would be protected from the virus.
Moore's experience has inspired her to partner with Dr. Bruckner and pharmaceutical giant Sanofi to raise awareness about RSV and the availability of Beyfortus for infants and young children. "When it comes to your baby's health, it's a really, really personal choice and decision," Moore urged other parents. "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 actress has joined forces with other high-profile moms, including chef Gaby Dalkin, journalist Elaine Welteroth, gymnast Shawn Johnson East, and astronaut Katya Echazaretta, to form the Mom Squad. This powerful coalition aims to inform and empower parents to take control of their children's health.
"It's a really personal choice and decision," Moore emphasized. "But with the right information and support, you can make an informed decision about your baby's health."
In a remarkable turnaround, Dr. Bruckner has reported outstanding results since introducing Beyfortus to his patients: "In previous seasons, before we were allowed to give Beyfortus, we used to have to hospitalize five to 10 babies a winter for this," he revealed. "Since we've been giving Beyfortus, I have yet to hospitalize one baby with RSV."
Moore's courageous story serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and proactive parenting in the face of life-threatening illnesses like RSV. As she shared with People magazine, "Nothing matters more than our children's health and well-being. Being able to share this information that we have and help people protect their babies against RSV; it really goes a long way."
