Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://wcco.com/health/rsv.baby.illness.2.1456485.html
Jan 28, 2010 10:44 pm US/Central
Serious Virus Sending More Babies To Hospital
WCCO) "The last couple nights from Tuesday to Wednesday he went from bad to worse. He woke up and it sounded like his lungs were full," said Katie Bumpus. Katie is talking about her 10-month-old son Jaxton.
On Wednesday night, Jaxton had his parents pretty worried. He was taking about 60 breaths a minute and his chest was caving. His wheezing had Katie and her husband up all night.
"So, this morning at 8 o'clock right away I called and they decided he needed to come into the pediatrician," said Katie.
Chest X-rays and a nose swab at Children's Hospital showed that Jaxton has Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV. RSV's symptoms are similar to a cold. Babies can experience a runny nose, nasal congestion and fever. However, it affects the way kids breathe much more, meaning it can be far more serious than a cold.
"As there really is no treatment for this infection, we do have some children in ICU who require a breathing tube. It is difficult to get them off that once they are on it. So, it can be threatening to life," said Dr. Mark Schnellinger of Children's Hospitals and Clinics.
While the Children's Hospital has seen a slight rise in RSV this winter, what has them concerned is that the cases appear to be far more serious than previous years. More children, like Jaxton, are being admitted to the hospital. Because RSV is highly contagious, parents aren't taking any chances.
"Honestly, if we wouldn't have done what we did, I don't know where he would be tonight because our doctor said that within 24 hours he can't keep breathing at that rate. He'll just get tired, tired out, and I could tell that was happening," said Katie.
RSV can last about a week and doctors say the best treatment for this is time. Dr. Schnellinger said like a cold, it simply has to run its course. Nebulization, IVs, and oxygen can help with serious cases.
Children under the age of one are most affected by RSV. Doctors said by the age of three just about every child has had some type of mild or serious case of the virus.
The Center for Disease Control said RSV has reached epidemic levels in Minnesota this winter.
Jan 28, 2010 10:44 pm US/Central
Serious Virus Sending More Babies To Hospital
WCCO) "The last couple nights from Tuesday to Wednesday he went from bad to worse. He woke up and it sounded like his lungs were full," said Katie Bumpus. Katie is talking about her 10-month-old son Jaxton.
On Wednesday night, Jaxton had his parents pretty worried. He was taking about 60 breaths a minute and his chest was caving. His wheezing had Katie and her husband up all night.
"So, this morning at 8 o'clock right away I called and they decided he needed to come into the pediatrician," said Katie.
Chest X-rays and a nose swab at Children's Hospital showed that Jaxton has Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV. RSV's symptoms are similar to a cold. Babies can experience a runny nose, nasal congestion and fever. However, it affects the way kids breathe much more, meaning it can be far more serious than a cold.
"As there really is no treatment for this infection, we do have some children in ICU who require a breathing tube. It is difficult to get them off that once they are on it. So, it can be threatening to life," said Dr. Mark Schnellinger of Children's Hospitals and Clinics.
While the Children's Hospital has seen a slight rise in RSV this winter, what has them concerned is that the cases appear to be far more serious than previous years. More children, like Jaxton, are being admitted to the hospital. Because RSV is highly contagious, parents aren't taking any chances.
"Honestly, if we wouldn't have done what we did, I don't know where he would be tonight because our doctor said that within 24 hours he can't keep breathing at that rate. He'll just get tired, tired out, and I could tell that was happening," said Katie.
RSV can last about a week and doctors say the best treatment for this is time. Dr. Schnellinger said like a cold, it simply has to run its course. Nebulization, IVs, and oxygen can help with serious cases.
Children under the age of one are most affected by RSV. Doctors said by the age of three just about every child has had some type of mild or serious case of the virus.
The Center for Disease Control said RSV has reached epidemic levels in Minnesota this winter.