Any experience with RSV in babies?

[aristocatz]

Thank you. The pediatrician had checked her ears the day before and they were fine, but sure enough the next morning she had the beginnings of an ear infection. Same thing with the pink eye. I am so glad I was able to get an eary morning follow-up appt. The blizzard started on my way home.

We have been washing our hands and using sanitizer gel like crazy lately! DH & I both got the stomach bug consecutively last week, & now the baby is sick-I have done a complete deep cleaning of our house 3x this week & I'm thinking of doing another one tomorrow.

I'm so happy to finally see her in good spirits today. DH & I were laughing earlier that she has had quite the culinary experience the past few days. She had only known the taste of formula since birth, but in the past few days she has experienced the flavors of liquid Tylenol, ear infection med (the bubble gum flavored one), & Pedialyte. She keeps making these funny faces when we give them to her, but then licks her lips & stares at us

Mickeysgal: OMG-that sounds so scary!! I'm glad everything turned out OK. I have been really worried that she is going to get the stomach bug added on to this mess. My DD just got the rotovirus vaccine a few weeks ago.

 

[princesskrys]

My now five year old spent her first Christmas in the hospital for RSV (
4 days total). she was 10 months old. She now has asthma. Her doctor predicted it. She said RSV and asthma go hand in hand. They don't know (or at least my doctor didn't at the time) know if Asthmatic children were more prone to RSV or children who get RSV are more prone to asthma. (kinda like which came first the chicken or egg theory). She now has exercise and cold induced asthma, but it does not hold her back. It is such a scary experience watching your child struggle to breathe.

 

[sookie]

Despite all the people on this thread posting, most children who are sick with RSV do not get admitted to the hospital. It is just that rampant right now - almost all the babies we are testing are either RSV positive or flu positive. So many babies have had it - I don't know anyone with a baby that hasn't had at least one battle this season with RSV type illness - either testing positive or just having the symptoms and being diagnosed clinically, since it is so rampant.

That is JUST how many kids get RSV each year - there is just an incredible volume of kids that we see. The younger these babies are (think babies 6 weeks and younger) and the babies that have risk factors - like having a chronic health issue or being a severely premature baby with health or lung problems - they are at the highest risk of being hospitalized.

OP, I am so glad that your baby is improving and doing well at home!!!! Continue to keep up the good work - keeping a baby hydrated and suctioned out at home takes a LOT of vigilance. Use the bulb suction, use lots of normal saline drops, and block each side of her nose opposite the side you are suctioning when using the bulb. Suction before each feeding and suction before and after each time you lay her down to sleep.

We have a ton of admits of babies that are very sick - they need oxygen, are breathing too fast / hard, and they need IV fluids because they can't drink enough to stay hydrated. That is when a baby needs to be admitted. But some of our admits at the hospital are actually because parents are so scared that they just plain insist on the baby staying at the hospital. That stinks because we are fighting for beds for really sick kids during the winter. It happens!!! So no, not all babies with RSV get automatically admitted, not even just for observation, as another poster suggested. Your being a good mom by utilizing your primary pediatrician and keeping an eye on her at home since she is drinking and doing well.

My son had RSV when he was 6 months old. It was pretty awful. I don't think I slept for a week.

Having a baby sick is a scary thing. Hope your angel feels better soon!!!

 

[aristocatz]

Despite all the people on this thread posting, most children who are sick with RSV do not get admitted to the hospital. It is just that rampant right now - almost all the babies we are testing are either RSV positive or flu positive. So many babies have had it - I don't know anyone with a baby that hasn't had at least one battle this season with RSV type illness - either testing positive or just having the symptoms and being diagnosed clinically, since it is so rampant.

That is JUST how many kids get RSV each year - there is just an incredible volume of kids that we see. The younger these babies are (think babies 6 weeks and younger) and the babies that have risk factors - like having a chronic health issue or being a severely premature baby with health or lung problems - they are at the highest risk of being hospitalized.

OP, I am so glad that your baby is improving and doing well at home!!!! Continue to keep up the good work - keeping a baby hydrated and suctioned out at home takes a LOT of vigilance. Use the bulb suction, use lots of normal saline drops, and block each side of her nose opposite the side you are suctioning when using the bulb. Suction before each feeding and suction before and after each time you lay her down to sleep.

We have a ton of admits of babies that are very sick - they need oxygen, are breathing too fast / hard, and they need IV fluids because they can't drink enough to stay hydrated. That is when a baby needs to be admitted. But some of our admits at the hospital are actually because parents are so scared that they just plain insist on the baby staying at the hospital. That stinks because we are fighting for beds for really sick kids during the winter. It happens!!! So no, not all babies with RSV get automatically admitted, not even just for observation, as another poster suggested. Your being a good mom by utilizing your primary pediatrician and keeping an eye on her at home since she is drinking and doing well.

My son had RSV when he was 6 months old. It was pretty awful. I don't think I slept for a week.

Having a baby sick is a scary thing. Hope your angel feels better soon!!!

Thank you so much Sookie, I am guessing from your post that you are a medical professional?

Could I ask you-does RSV last 2-3 weeks for most cases or do some babies heal quicker? I'm just wondering if I should expect next week to be similar to this week or should I expect her to still have symptoms, but on a much milder level?

I'm trying my best-first time mom & have been freaking out over all of this sickness, although I'm getting better as she gets better

 

[DisneyWalle]

Watch her carefully -- monitor her breathing to make sure it doesn't become labored. Immediately take her to your local hospital if you feel something is wrong.

My son was diagnosed with RSV at 4 months -- the doctor told us to take him home and that he would get worse before he got better (I don't think I will ever forget that statement) -- we were new parents. After 2 days, I woke my husband up early in the morning and told him we needed to take DS to the hospital something was seriously wrong. His breathing was labored and his skin had changed color (he couldn't breathe).

When we got to the ER -- DS was immediately taken from us and placed on Oxygen and given all kinds of fluids, shots and IV meds. We then spent 7 days on the pediatric floor in an oxygen tent.

DS developed asthma. I can't say it was related to RSV but he had no problems with his breathing prior to this virus.

DS was again hospitalized the following year with RSV again. This time around we had a different pediatric doctor -- he was familiar with our past experience with RSV -- and even though we caught it early -- the doctor went ahead and admitted DS to the hospital. (I was more verbal and demanding by this time concerning DS health) The stay was for only 3 days -- but DS still laid in the Oxygen tent for 2 of those days.

I admit I was too trusting of the pediatric doctors in the beginning -- but you better believe I am one out-spoken parent now. DS is now 12yrs old and still suffers from occassional asthma attacks but as he grows those attacks lessen.

 

[Wendy31]

Our younger son had RSV when he was 5 months old, & I was a wreck!

I was already being super-conscious about germs - because we were also right in the middle of the H1N1 epidemic. We were using hand sanitizer all the time, baby DS & I were basically hibernating at home, &, as soon as DH got home from work & older DD & DS got home from school, they were changing their clothes.

Anyway, somehow, even w/ all my "overzealousness," baby DS still got RSV. I had heard awful things about RSV, so, as soon as our doctor confirmed the diagnosis, I was sure we would be checking into our children's hospital. However, he sent us home w/ breathing treatments. We saw the doctor on a Tuesday, & we had a follow-up appointment on Thursday to make sure he was still doing okay. And, thankfully, he was. Although, we were also told that he would get worse before he got better, and he did. We had another appointment the following week to make sure he was improving.

I don't think I slept at all for that 1st week... I stayed awake so I could watch him breathe & make sure his breathing stayed okay - no "sucking in" of the ribs, flaring of the nostrils, etc. Some of his coughing fits were really bad. One night was particularly bad, & I was all by myself because DH was working. I remember calling our doctor's "on call" 24 hours nursing service that night in tears because, to me, he was "gasping" for breath while he coughed. And, in the middle of the conversation w/ the nurse, I looked down at him, & he smiled at me. I remember thinking that I almost wished that the doctor *had* checked us into the hospital because I didn't want the responsibility for deciding whether or not his condition was worsening.

Anyway, we did the breathing treatments every 4 hours, & he slept propped up in his carseat next to me in the bed. I breastfed, and, thankfully, he never stopped nursing - although he was so stuffy that he would have to pull away to breathe. We would suction his nose as well.

He was sick w/ RSV the 2nd week of December, &, by Christmas, he was well - although he was still a little "droopy" &, in the pictures from that Christmas, his eyes still look "weak".

He's 3 years old, &, whenever he gets a cold now, we have to watch him carefully because he's more prone to wheezing. He's had pneumonia twice (the last time was just this last month). And our doctor, while he hasn't officially diagnosed him w/ asthma, says that his symptoms "present" like an asthma patient.

His older brother also has asthma, so I don't know if he's just following in his brother's footsteps or if the RSV has made him more prone to pneumonia & wheezing.

Edited to Add - I've read that they do have an RSV vaccine for premature babies since RSV is so very dangerous for premature babies. But, so far, they aren't offering the vaccine to fullterm infants.

 

[Realgrumpy]

I am so glad I read this thread. My son had it when he was about 2 months old. He is 11 now, and every time he gets sick, he gets a "barky" cough. I swear it is related to the rsv, and the pediatrician tells me it's not. Mom's know best.

 

[Anne MN]

2 out of 3 kids had RSV- both hospitalized.
one got it at the hospital following surgery.

I don't know if you have tried, but what helped them breathe (one were small) was to sleep in their infant seat- easier to breathe sitting up

one spent 2 days, the other 2 weeks (the one who had surgery)

like others have said- watch breathing, keep hydrated- I just kept giving them something to drink, even if they didn't want it "right then"

 

[aristocatz]

2 out of 3 kids had RSV- both hospitalized.
one got it at the hospital following surgery.

I don't know if you have tried, but what helped them breathe (one were small) was to sleep in their infant seat- easier to breathe sitting up

one spent 2 days, the other 2 weeks (the one who had surgery)

like others have said- watch breathing, keep hydrated- I just kept giving them something to drink, even if they didn't want it "right then"

Thank you-I hadn't heard that tip about the car seat-we might just try that today! We have been putting her in her hammock thing for daytime napping (this:http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-...60510443&sr=8-1&keywords=fisher+price+hammock ) & we put a wedge under her crib mattress at night.

She has been drinking just fine (taking her formula MUCH easier since we added the Pedialyte to the mixture). She is still quite congested, though the humidifier is really helping.

Ugh, I hope she does not develop asthma. No one in my family or my DH's family has it, but poor little thing-that would be awful for her

 

["Cinder" Ella's Mom]

I know you don't want to hear this, but the daughter of my BFF has RSV at 4 months as well. She was so congested that she was having trouble breathing and my BFF rushed her to the hospital. While there, the doctirs could not intubate her because she was too small (and they were incompetent). She was deprived of oxygyn and now has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair. Please make sure your doctor is on top of this and treating the symptoms so they do not get worse. Best of luck.

 

[sookie]

Thank you so much Sookie, I am guessing from your post that you are a medical professional?

Could I ask you-does RSV last 2-3 weeks for most cases or do some babies heal quicker? I'm just wondering if I should expect next week to be similar to this week or should I expect her to still have symptoms, but on a much milder level?

I'm trying my best-first time mom & have been freaking out over all of this sickness, although I'm getting better as she gets better

Yes I am a pediatric nurse practitioner. Usually symptoms can be about 10-14 days with the peak about days 4-6 - but the cough can still linger up to 3 weeks total!!! Mainly, the little guys can make so much mucous it is hard for them to handle all of it. So suction, suction, suction.
If they get another cold a few weeks after their RSV course - expect it to be a little worse than usual because their lungs will still be irritated from the RSV.

 

[aristocatz]

[QUOTE="Cinder" Ella's Mom;47474172]I know you don't want to hear this, but the daughter of my BFF has RSV at 4 months as well. She was so congested that she was having trouble breathing and my BFF rushed her to the hospital. While there, the doctirs could not intubate her because she was too small (and they were incompetent). She was deprived of oxygyn and now has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair. Please make sure your doctor is on top of this and treating the symptoms so they do not get worse. Best of luck.[/QUOTE]

Oh my goodness, that is horrible!! I am so sorry that happened to her I will be sure to keep a close eye on my DD's symptoms. She seems to be on an upward track of starting to feel better & I made a follow-up doctor's appt for this Wednesday.

 

[aristocatz]

Yes I am a pediatric nurse practitioner. Usually symptoms can be about 10-14 days with the peak about days 4-6 - but the cough can still linger up to 3 weeks total!!! Mainly, the little guys can make so much mucous it is hard for them to handle all of it. So suction, suction, suction.
If they get another cold a few weeks after their RSV course - expect it to be a little worse than usual because their lungs will still be irritated from the RSV.

Thank you-you have been really helpful. She finally started coughing up some mucous yesterday and today, and she is finally interested in playing & smiling again, though she is still a bit whinier than usual. Her breathing seems much less congested than before, but I can still hear some "junk" when she coughs. I just started moving to regular formula & fading out the Pedialyte formula mixture I was having her drink, but I'm now wondering if I should have continued it a few more days? I'll have to see what her pediatrician says on Wednesday. Ugh RSV is just horrible-I wish there was medicine she could take to help the congestion. The humidifier is helping though....

 

[sookie]

Thank you-I hadn't heard that tip about the car seat-we might just try that today! We have been putting her in her hammock thing for daytime napping (this:http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-...60510443&sr=8-1&keywords=fisher+price+hammock ) & we put a wedge under her crib mattress at night.

She has been drinking just fine (taking her formula MUCH easier since we added the Pedialyte to the mixture). She is still quite congested, though the humidifier is really helping.

Ugh, I hope she does not develop asthma. No one in my family or my DH's family has it, but poor little thing-that would be awful for her

The wedge is SOOOO helpful!!!!!!!!! So is the humidifier!!!
Not every baby who gets triggered to wheeze with RSV gets asthma, but some babies with RSV do develop asthma later. So it is hard to say! Since it is suspected that everybody has at least one episode of RSV - everyone who is prone to have asthma will have had RSV at least once sometime in their infancy / toddlerhood. I hope that makes sense to everyone because I think I just confused myself there.

The ones who are more prone to be identified as potentially asthmatic in the future tend to be the little ones who are 1) wheezing more heavily and 2) respond well to breathing treatments 3) have a more severe presentation. That is why some people are saying their pediatricians are warning them to keep an eye on their little ones in the future for asthma / reactive airways.

My little DS had his first episode of wheezing at 6 months of age with RSV - and has wheezed ever since. He is 6 now! So I feel all of the mommy pain expressed in this thread. But he also comes from a long line of asthmatics. So even though I want to blame that stupid RSV - I think it was just the trigger that got the ball rolling.

 

[PebblesMK]

Thank you all so much for your feedback, advice, and support.

She threw up a few hours ago shortly after she ate (definite vomit smell, not spit up) & I was terrified because my DH & I just got over that horrible stomach bug & I thought "oh no, now she's got both!!" I called my mom (retired nurse) & she said her formula was probably too thick for her to handle mixed with all of her mucus. She suggested to lay off the formula & switch to clear Pedialyte.

My daughter was so funny with the Pedialyte! She has only tasted formula since she was born & when we gave her the Pedialyte, her whole face lit up & she was thrilled! It was the clear unflavored one, but it must have a sweet taste-? She actually spent the rest of the night in good spirits for her first time in 24 hours-laying in her rocker wearing nothing but a diaper & watching the Sprout network. She definitely seemed back to her old self-kicking & babbling & smiling. She is now asleep in her crib & we have a cool mist humidifier for her nursery.

She seemed alot less congested after she threw up.

Hopefully the rest of the night will fare well for her. We have a follow-up appt with the pediatrician in the morning, before the snowstorm hits. I think I might buy a few more bottles of Pedialyte to keep in the house, just in case.

I'm feeling alot less stressed about this for now. I tend to be a worrywort in general, so please bear with me! A worrywort personality/first time mom is just not a great combination with baby's first illness

I hope she continues to feel better. It's such a helpless feeling when you can't really do anything. My daughter was three months old and was hospitalized for 8 days on oxygen and breathing treatments. Her fever always spiked to 106 and they wanted to monitor her when she spiked. As long as you can control your daughter's fever and she's eating and urinating okay, then time is about the only thing you can give. Cuddle her and nap as she naps...because of the congestion, mine would only sleep on my shoulder, so you may want to see if that helps at all. Good luck!

 

[MistressMerryweather]

My dd had RSV and pneumonia at 8 mos. I think the number one important thing is suction. It can make all the difference. There is just so much in there they can't get out. Saline drops and the NoseFrida is amazing and works so much better than a bulb syringe.