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Nothing good happens at 4:00 a.m. The world is quiet, enveloped in darkness, as most people are fast asleep. But a few weeks ago, my home was anything but peaceful at that hour. I awoke to the alarming sounds of my son coughing and struggling for breath.
I rushed to his room, swiftly maneuvering through the nursery in the dark. When I entered, I found him standing up, tears streaming down his face, calling for me. “Mama,” he cried. I immediately gathered him into my arms, feeling the heat radiating from his body. His temperature was a concerning 104 degrees. I held him tight, attempting to soothe him while searching for Tylenol and waking my husband.
“Something isn’t right,” I said, glancing at my son’s labored breathing. He agreed, and we called the doctor first thing in the morning. After several tests and a nerve-wracking 24 hours, we received the diagnosis we had feared: our little one had respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, particularly for infants and older adults.” The troubling aspect? There’s no medication for RSV. Young children like mine are too small for cough or cold medications, and antibiotics won’t help since it’s a viral infection that must simply run its course.
Despite our efforts with Tylenol, ibuprofen, a humidifier, and frequent baths, his condition seemed to worsen. His breathing was still labored, and his persistent cough grew more severe. I found myself terrified, sleeping on his floor or with him curled up on my chest. Something was definitely wrong, and I was determined to find answers.
After another visit to the doctor, where they checked his ears, throat, and abdomen, the physician listened intently to his breathing. “I hear a little rattle in his right chest,” she finally said. “You need to take him for an X-ray. Stat.” My heart sank, but I nodded in agreement.
“Will they take him today?” I asked, glancing at the clock. It was 4 o’clock again.
“Absolutely,” she assured me. “We’ll have results in a few hours.”
Feeling a mix of fear and hope, I packed him back into his stroller and left the office. I called my husband to relay the news, thinking, “Okay, this will be fine.” But the reality of having a toddler with pneumonia was daunting.
Pneumonia, as explained by Kids Health, is an infection of the lungs. “Normally, the small sacs in the lungs are filled with air. In someone who has pneumonia, the air sacs fill up with pus and other fluid.” This was exactly what was happening to my sweet boy.
“Viruses, such as the flu or RSV, cause most cases of pneumonia,” Kids Health continues. “However, less often, bacteria can cause pneumonia.” I learned that one of the early warning signs of RSV is a child experiencing difficulty breathing. Signs to watch for include rapid breathing and flaring nostrils, indicating a struggle to get enough air. Good hygiene is essential in preventing it, and if a child contracts RSV, they can be contagious for three to eight days.
Fortunately, with the pneumonia diagnosis, we could finally start treatment. My son was prescribed antibiotics, and soon he began to improve. After ten long days, we finally managed to break his fever. However, the seriousness of his condition weighed heavily on me. I had feared he would need hospitalization, complete with oxygen and monitors, and the thought was terrifying.
Three weeks later, I’m still reeling from the experience. I’m grateful I trusted my instincts and stayed in touch with his doctors. Throughout that week, I made several phone calls to gain knowledge about his conditions, which helped ease my anxiety. Every parent should familiarize themselves with RSV, especially as its peak season approaches. For more information, check out this post on intracervical insemination.
If you’re interested in further resources, I recommend visiting Make A Mom for expert guidance on home insemination, and for insights into fertility, Science Daily offers excellent articles.
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In summary, witnessing my child battle pneumonia and RSV was one of the most frightening experiences of my life. It reinforced the importance of trusting your instincts as a parent and seeking help when something feels off. Knowledge is power, so staying informed about respiratory illnesses is crucial, especially as the season for RSV approaches.