RSV Warning

KRH6829

After four days and three nights in the hospital with my baby girl, I feel like I should let you guys know a little more about the RSV virus. I am visiting my parents half way across the country, so going to see her pediatrician throughout this ordeal was not an option. Last Sunday, I took DD to a walk in clinic because she was spitting up a lot and she had a little cough and some congestion. The doctor there said that she must have reflux and gave us a prescription for an antacid. She was still spitting up a lot and was getting more congested, so I called her pediatrician to see what I should do. The nurse took down all of the information and the doctor called me not even five minutes later. He said that she needed to be seen ASAP. My mom came with me and we took her to the emergency room at the children's hosptial here. I assumed that they would tell me what was wrong and what to do and maybe give me a prescription.  Well...her oxygen level was too low and she had too much congestion, so they admitted her to the hospital. She had to be deep suctioned regularly because of all the mucous, had to be on oxygen, and needed iv fluids. Throughout all of this, she has never had a fever. I have son who is two and everytime her has been sick, he has had a fever. I guess I was thinking that DD couldn't be too sick because she didn't have a fever. Please do not make this mistake. RSV is very serious and sometimes is not accompanied by a fever. If a baby is even just somewhat congested, but is also spitting up a lot, they could have RSV and should be seen by a doctor.  DD was discharged Saturday and is on the mend. She is still having some difficulties with feeds and her bottles are half formula half pedialyte. I am hoping to have her feedings back to normal by next weekend. 

blended10

Thank you for sharing your experience. When you say spitting up was it a lot (like her whole belly) or small amounts & how frequently? Was it always formula or bile too? Just curious what to look out for. 

ATolentino89

blended10 said:

Thank you for sharing your experience. When you say spitting up was it a lot (like her whole belly) or small amounts & how frequently? Was it always formula or bile too? Just curious what to look out for. 

This. Also, was there lethargy? Or a change in personality? Did he eat less than normal? 

KRH6829

She was spitting up small amounts a lot after a feeding and she would keep spitting up for almost an hour. Twice it was as if she just spit up the entire bottle as soon as she finished. It was just formula that she spit up, no bile. She was definitely eating less too. She was not lethargic, but she was "talking" less than usual. Please feel free to ask anything else. 

thatgirlree24

I took my LO to the doctor the other day bc of the other thread just to rule out RSV. But all the symptoms you mentioned my LO has. Doc said its just a cold and his lungs sound clear. Ugh. This has me worried again

Eta: he is napping more than usual but he is in a great mood when he's awake

KRH6829

thatgirlree24 said:

I took my LO to the doctor the other day bc of the other thread just to rule out RSV. But all the symptoms you mentioned my LO has. Doc said its just a cold and his lungs sound clear. Ugh. This has me worried again

Eta: he is napping more than usual but he is in a great mood when he's awake

When I took DD to the walk in clinic they said her lungs were clear. After my experience, if I were you, I would go back and insist that he be tested for RSV. It is just a nasal swab and they had the results within thirty minutes. Good luck. 

thatgirlree24

Did you notice any changes in her breathing? And how often was she coughing?

KRH6829

She was breathing harder than normal by the day that I took her to the ER. She was just coughing occasionally, it was not constant. 

breezypip

When my DD had a cold at 4 weeks I called the pediatrician and she wanted her to be seen immediately. She had similar symptoms and no fever, but they wanted to run a test to rule out RSV and luckily it was negative. I'm glad your DD is on the mend and thanks for sharing this. I know that I will have my DD at the doctors for every cold just in case of RSV. I especially worried about it with her starting daycare next week.

thatgirlree24

LO is starting daycare next week as well. I called the clinic where I took him originally (can't use any others unless I change his pcp and we don't have any around where I live) and she said she's going to have a nurse call me back. I hope it's not RSV. I'm mad I didn't ask for the test when I first brought him. 

KRH6829

thatgirlree24 said:

LO is starting daycare next week as well. I called the clinic where I took him originally (can't use any others unless I change his pcp and we don't have any around where I live) and she said she's going to have a nurse call me back. I hope it's not RSV. I'm mad I didn't ask for the test when I first brought him. 

How is your son?  I have been hoping that he was ok and did not have RSV. 

thatgirlree24

@KRH6829 I took him to the drs twice and he didn't test him for RSV either time even after I asked because he said they don't really treat RSV anyway unless it's a serious condition. Baby's lungs sounded good both times and no fever. So I'm monitoring him at home. No signs of trouble breathing but he's still coughing and congested.. Poor baby I hope he feels better by Monday!

KRH6829

I hope he feels better too!

amye02

My son had what the dr thought was a cold cough, intermittent low grade fever for a few days, then Friday he lost his appetite. We took him to Urgent care who sent us to the Children's hospital because they couldn't get a good oxygen reading on his tiny fingers. 
When we got to Children's  oxygen level was good,  lungs sounded clear, rsv nasal swab came back negative. His blood work had an elevated white blood count, so they ordered a chest xray and found pneumonia. Only then they did a blood test for rsv and he was positive. 2 nights and a day later he came home. I wish I had insisted on him being tested 4 days ago. I hope this helps another Mommy whose instincts are telling her one thing but the Dr is saying it's just a cold. Jackson's on the mend now,  hungry and playing but the cough is awful and scary as hell. I have to almost pound on his back to help him break the mucus pockets in his lungs when he's coughing. .

laurabwalker

I hope all your babies get well soon! Great mom instincts

KRH6829

amye02 said:

My son had what the dr thought was a cold cough, intermittent low grade fever for a few days, then Friday he lost his appetite. We took him to Urgent care who sent us to the Children's hospital because they couldn't get a good oxygen reading on his tiny fingers. 
When we got to Children's  oxygen level was good,  lungs sounded clear, rsv nasal swab came back negative. His blood work had an elevated white blood count, so they ordered a chest xray and found pneumonia. Only then they did a blood test for rsv and he was positive. 2 nights and a day later he came home. I wish I had insisted on him being tested 4 days ago. I hope this helps another Mommy whose instincts are telling her one thing but the Dr is saying it's just a cold. Jackson's on the mend now,  hungry and playing but the cough is awful and scary as hell. I have to almost pound on his back to help him break the mucus pockets in his lungs when he's coughing. .

I'm so glad that your son is home and on the mend. If I had known more about RSV when I initially took DD to the walk in clinic, I would have insisted that she be tested. RSV is scary. 

groovylocks

My god! I hope all the babies get well soon. I'm really sorry to hear this. 

Olive has cold like symptoms right now. She always spits up so "A lot" is hard for us to determine but she doesn't seem to be doing it more than normal - she was a week ago though. Given her low weight gain this past month, i'm calling tomorrow. 

Thank you mums for these warmings! I would have shrugged this off as a cold. Which it probably is but worth double checking. 

KRH6829

groovylocks said:

My god! I hope all the babies get well soon. I'm really sorry to hear this. 

Olive has cold like symptoms right now. She always spits up so "A lot" is hard for us to determine but she doesn't seem to be doing it more than normal - she was a week ago though. Given her low weight gain this past month, i'm calling tomorrow. 

Thank you mums for these warmings! I would have shrugged this off as a cold. Which it probably is but worth double checking. 

After what I through with DD, I would recommend that you insist they test for RSV. It was a super quick swab and they had the results within thirty minutes. good luck and I hope that olive feels better. 

amye02

@groovylocks insist on the test,  they don't treat the rsv but they should be monitored for dehydration from the fever and pneumonia 
Keep us updated 

andreaAL11

DD has been sick for so long now. A week before vaccinations and they had us hold off for a week, and then she got sick from the vaccs and then she got sick again after that and is getting a little worse every day. She has horrible stuffy nose that actually gave her a horrible time trying to breastfeed, so I had to use a syringe to feed her, and is coughing. Taking her to the pedi today and I requested the RSV test! 

I hope its negative, the nurse said it's going around right now! It's just so sad seeing them sick and hoping they get better. 

amye02

@andreaAL11 did they feel the top of her head?  If her soft spot is indented she could be dehydrated. Does she have any fever? Good luck keep us posted 

KRH6829

@andreaAL11 I hope that your daughter is ok.  Definitely the right move to ask that she be tested for RSV. Good luck!

andreaAL11

@amye02 her head is fine, she did have a fever of 100, and the pedi said she just has a cold they can't really do anything about it. I asked for an RSV test but she said it isn't necessary...so I guess we just stick it out. I mean I would have asked again to get her tested just for peace of mind that she doesn't have it but my husband was already looking at me like I was crazy. 

But it overall she didn't seem concerned so I'm just happy at that! 

groovylocks

andreaAL11 said:

@amye02 her head is fine, she did have a fever of 100, and the pedi said she just has a cold they can't really do anything about it. I asked for an RSV test but she said it isn't necessary...so I guess we just stick it out. I mean I would have asked again to get her tested just for peace of mind that she doesn't have it but my husband was already looking at me like I was crazy. 

But it overall she didn't seem concerned so I'm just happy at that! 

Husbands.. So I was working today but her dad took her into the doctor. He asked for an RSV test but she said it was unnecessary. She was lying on the table giggling and being her typical little chowderhead self I guess the pediatrician wasn't concerned. She's a lot better today but i'm keeping an eye on it.

thatgirlree24

Seems like a pattern in regards to the RSV test. The pediatricians must know it's not necessary since our LOs arent too sickly looking? Or there are no other signs of it being anything more than a cold. My LO still has a small cough (though it's getting better) and congestion. I think he may be a little dehydrated too bc since I've been home at 7:15 to now 10:46p, he hasn't had a wet diaper. But I also haven't fed him. Don't know when the last time he ate at babysitter's was either and it's too late to call and ask. He was sweating bc I had him in a sleeper and it's pretty hot in the house. I took it off and just fed him. Hoping he gets a wet diaper soon. Otherwise it may be a call out of work and a trip to the doctors tmrw. I can't wait for spring! Sorry for the ramblings lol

amye02

@thatgirlree24 hope your son is feeling better this morning. My pediatrician refused to test too, you know your baby, trust your instincts and if you want the test done insist..

KRH6829

I am surprised at them not doing the test if a mother asks. It's a really simple test. Maybe they just wait until the baby shows up in the ER and then they care to find out what is going on???

andreaAL11

KRH6829 said:

I am surprised at them not doing the test if a mother asks. It's a really simple test. Maybe they just wait until the baby shows up in the ER and then they care to find out what is going on???

I don't know either, I was kind of disappointed tbh...i think they should still do what the mother asks. I asked her even to do the test just for peace of mind and she said, well even if it was RSV we don't have a medicine that can help it. She's fine for now." Then she proceeded to tell me the symptoms of what to look out for in order to be alarmed. 

So, I guess peace of mind or not, they know what they're doing I guess. 

jking9382

My son was in the hospital for almost a week and was RSV positive. It was horrible! He also was deep suctioned every 4 hours. Important thing to remember is lots of hand washing. My poor guy lost weight and was on an IV and oxygen and a feeding tube and was almost intubated. The congestion is a tell tale sign of RSV and can be easily mistaken for a cold. 

amye02

@jking9382 I hope your baby is feeling better. My son still has a junky cough they said could last weeks

KRH6829

@jking9382 I'm glad that your son is on the mend. It is so scary having a little one in the hospital. For those of you with ones that were in the hospital, we ended up with some infant hospital gowns when we got home. My mom is going to cut them up and use the fabric in a quilt for DD as a reminder and how glad we are that she's ok. 

BrookeBrown2015

My son was diagnosed with RSV today and was prescribed a breathing machine, 2 medicines that go into the breathing machine and prednisone. So that's really weird some of yalls nurses were saying there's no medicine.

KRH6829

BrookeBrown2015 said:

My son was diagnosed with RSV today and was prescribed a breathing machine, 2 medicines that go into the breathing machine and prednisone. So that's really weird some of yalls nurses were saying there's no medicine.

Is he in the hospital?  I think that it might depend on what stage or how severe the virus is. I truly hope that he isn't in the hospital and that he can use the breathing machine at home and that will be enough to help him through the virus. This is why I'm surprised that they won't do the RSV teat even if it's asked for. I would think that treatment like your son is getting would hopefully prevent infants from needing to be hospitalized.  

katy4128

@BrookeBrown2015 Leo also was using the breathing machine for about two weeks. The albuterol he was on gave him bad tremors, just something to look out for. We got a different dose and it was a lot better. Leo really improved after doing the treatments! Hope your lo feels better soon!! 

KRH6829

@Katy0525 so glad that your son is dojng better. RSV is so scary and can cause significant breathing problems in our little ones. 

thatgirlree24

BrookeBrown2015 said:

My son was diagnosed with RSV today and was prescribed a breathing machine, 2 medicines that go into the breathing machine and prednisone. So that's really weird some of yalls nurses were saying there's no medicine.

Yeah his pedi said they don't really treat RSV so it must depend on the stage and of course it can turn into pneumonia so that's always something to look out for. He still has a little congestion but he's never had a fever and hasn't really spit up like he did before. Breathing treatments and prednisone is used if it's impacting their breathing. Probably why some of our pedi's weren't concerned with our LOs.

jking9382

I know this maybe extreme but I quit my job. It just made me realize that life is too short and my baby needs me. 

KRH6829

jking9382 said:

I know this maybe extreme but I quit my job. It just made me realize that life is too short and my baby needs me. 

I totally understand. This is baby number two for me, and I did not feel this way with DS, but I do with DD. I go back to work on Monday, and after what she had gone through, I really don't want to leave her. My son was never sick, so I didn't have these feelings with him.  I am so scared that she is going to get sick again. 

amye02

jking9382 said:

I know this maybe extreme but I quit my job. It just made me realize that life is too short and my baby needs me. 

I don't think it's too extreme at all. I'm in at of you being brave enough to quit. I wish I could. 

BrookeBrown2015

No he didn't go to the hospital and he is still doing the breathing treatments but he is doing much better, thanks!

jking9382

I know exactly how you feel! My heart goes out to you and whatever decision you make ❤️