We were on the phone yesterday with friends who mentioned they are going to get the RSV shot. They have a friend who got RSV and said it was way worse than COVID.
My husband mentioned that our son had RSV years ago.
“No it’s new,” our friend said.
“The vaccine is new,” I explained. “But when I was one week from having our daughter, my son got RSV.”
Then I told him the story. The mere three letters of RSV brought back memories.
My son was sick. I had an appointment in the afternoon with our doctor. Our son began a high-pitched wail that morning.
My cleaning lady/babysitter was in my home. Her children were high school aged. She told me to go to the doctor ASAP. I patiently explained that I had an appointment at 2 p.m. I would go then.
“Now. Go now!”
We were only a few blocks from the doctor’s office which was across the street from the hospital. My son’s high-pitched wail was accompanied by blue lips.
The doctor tried an inhaler, but my son was too young for it to work. I was told to go to the hospital. The doctor told me not to stop at check-in. The pediatrics unit was waiting for us.
“It’s RSV and that is a very serious illness,” the doctor who was usually so funny and personable said in a grave voice.
I walked into the hospital and headed towards pediatrics. I was more than eight months and three weeks pregnant at the time, and was swiftly tucked into a wheelchair and pushed toward OB/GYN.
“Not me. It’s my son.”
Within minutes in pediatrics my son was put in a tent, which must have given him oxygen and the medicine the inhaler would have administered — if he was older and could use it.
I spent the weekend in the hospital with my son. I wouldn’t leave his side. I remember it took three nurses to hold him down to administer medicine and the nebulizer. They called it the monkey machine to get rid of the monkeys in his chest.
My husband made calls to friends that we were in the hospital. My neighbor who had to agreed to babysit while I gave birth ran over. My husband explained it was Robert, not me who was hospitalized.
My son got tons of medicine and they took good care of him. They put my husband, me and our son in a room with another toddler and parents. You can’t imagine how thrilled I was to learn the other toddler had Norovirus. They weren’t thrilled to be with our RSV toddler, either.
Our doctor explained that RSV was not to be taken lightly and it was a precursor to asthma. Ever since that weekend, my son has suffered with asthma, got sick throughout most of his childhood until he became an adult. He’s had an emergency inhaler and been on other meds. That nasty bug was life-changing for him and for us, too.
Do you know anyone who has had the RSV virus? What is your experience with it or any other childhood diseases for you or your children?
On a happier note, have a wonderful weekend and Merry Christmas! 💕
Wow! I had heard that RSV was more serious in kids but I didn’t know it could be that serious. I’m sorry you all had to go through that.
It was a scary time. Also my son suffered and still does at age 30 with asthma. He was so susceptible to respiratory illness growing up thanks to RSV.
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What a story, and to happen just before you had your daughter! Crazy and stressful, but you have to be thankful I think for the people urging you to get him seen and cared for so quickly. Working in a hospital with newborns, and having direct contact all day with the NICU, I knew just how dire RSV could be. I found it interesting that now the vaccine is being pushed for folks my age/older given the impacts from Covid, and even new flu viruses and the respiratory issues associated. So many people are susceptible to serious illness now but in babies and young kids it is terrifying.
I know they are saying 60 and older should get the RSV vaccine. All this time I thought it was an infant and child disease because of our history. Yes, I’m so relieved I was pushed to take my son in early and I didn’t wait until 2 pm!
Wow. Our daughter is a pediatric ER nurse and has been for 15+ years. The stories she tells… I’m glad it turned out ok. Given the alternative, asthma is an accetable choice.
That’s so impressive about your daughter. Yes, asthma is something he can live with. He’s better in the Bay Area than the desert, too.
I imagine SF is much better for him. Since we moved to CO I get a cough every Fall and Springs because it is so dry.
I think the moisture is good for him.
Thank goodness your cleaning lady/babysitter encouraged you to to go to the doctor. Sounds like it could have really been much much worse. Wow.
I am so thankful for her to push me. I had no idea how serious it was.
How scary! So now I’m a bit confused… is there a less dangerous version of RSV? My daughter is a preschool teacher and RSV is one of those illnesses that makes its way around the school in waves, along with hand-foot-and-mouth disease and the like. My grandson has had it but he was never hospitalized for it. Maybe it is one of the vaccinations they give to infants now, so they don’t get it as serious? I’m glad your son was ok!
My son is 30 now and they didn’t have a vaccine for it. I don’t know if they have one now. Maybe he was more susceptible to it than other children?
Wow…yes…I’ve got friends who needed to move quickly to get RSV treated for their children. Not something to fool around with. Oh my. Great awareness-building post, Elizabeth. 💕
Thank you. I’m sorry you have friends who went through something similar. The friend we were talking on the phone with said he heard RSV in adults was much worse than COVID. That’s something to be aware of too.
Yes…I guess especially for folks who have other respiratory challenges like COPD and asthma. Great reminders for this time of year. I hate all the forced air heat and dryness in the north…unavoidable. I sneak a window open every chance I can get just to ‘air out’ the house. It may not do a thing to make the house a healthier place, but it makes me feel better! 🤣🥰🤣
I’m sure your correct about COPD and asthma making RSV worse. I love an open window. Thank goodness we have screens to keep Olive safely inside.
Yesssss! And I forgot to mention…the photo of you with the kids. Absolutely lovely. Such a pic. xo! 🥰
Thank you!! It’s one of my all time favorite pics. 💕
What a scary situation! My husband and I were advised to get the new RSV vaccine too. We have no interest to get sick, so we’ll be doing that next week.
I think we will too. Previously, I only thought it was dangerous to infants and toddlers. But the world has changed.
How horrible! And especially with life-long after-effects. I really know nothing about this disease.
It’s really hard on infants and toddlers. Now I hear vaccines are recommended for over 60. It was never a thing I heard about for adults until his year.
That is so terrifying, Elizabeth! We had RSV a couple of years ago and it wasn’t as dramatic as your situation with your son while pregnant but it wasn’t fun. Wow, the picture of you three is priceless. I’m so glad you got him to the hospital in time. Sorry that the effects continue. RSV is nothing to take lightly for sure!
Thank you for enjoying the photo. I’m glad your experience with RSV wasn’t as severe!
I can only imagine who scared you must have been!! I don’t personal know anyone with experience with RSV, but I’ve heard it can be pretty bad. I so glad to hear your son got some help, though it’s unfortunate it’s left lasting scars with the asthma.
It was terrifying when I realized if I waited for the afternoon appointment he could have died.
I can’t even imagine! I’m so glad everything worked out okay in the end.
Yes, I’m relieved although he’s been fighting illness, on steroids and inhalers ever since.
What a scary story! RSV is quite terrifying and I’m so glad your son made a full recovery.
Unfortunately he’s now 30 and has been affected his entire life from RSV as with asthma and lung infections. But it could be MUCH worse!
Ugh. I’m sorry he still struggles with the effects of RSV. It’s far more serious than many people think.
Yes. I remember the look on the doctor’s face when he gave my son the diagnosis. I was so frightened. But he’s much healthier now that he’s grown and living in the Bay Area. The climate is better for him.