Taj was 12 months old the first time he was hospitalized for four days with RSV bronchiolitis. Six months later, he was hospitalized again. His mother, Susan from Oregon, shares what happened.

Tell us about Taj getting sick.

It started with a bad cough and fever. I expected it to peak around 3-5 days and get better, but that didn’t happen. I called the advice nurse because he was breathing so quickly, and they recommended I bring him to the emergency department. When we got there, it was like he wasn’t sick enough. His temp wasn’t ‘that high’, blood oxygenation was good…they gave him Tylenol and sent us home. The next morning he was even worse so we brought him to a different hospital. They tested him for RSV and the test came back positive. He had many  breathing treatments, and they worked around the clock to control his fever and suction out excess mucus. He was put on high flow oxygen and had to get an IV put in to stay hydrated, he also couldn’t eat because babies can’t eat on high flow oxygen, he later lot of weight. After four days, he was well enough to return home.

Six months later, Taj was sick again. I thought he’d feel better after a bath, but he had increased respirations (tachypnea) so again I called the advice nurse who told me to get him to the ER. They took his temperature, and it was 104 degrees, which shocked me, because he didn’t feel warm to the touch. The hospital staff tested him for COVID, influenza A, and RSV, it came back positive for RSV. I said, “You’ve got to be joking! How can he get it twice in six months?!?” 

Taj was hospitalized again with RSV. This time he was was on high flow oxygen, but this time not as high. The medical team thought he might be able to come home day on day two, but he took a turn for the worse and by the end of day two and all of day three he had become sicker. Then he started to get better again and was discharged on day four.

What tips do you have for new parents?

• Learn about RSV so you can be prepared. I have a five-year-old as well. I think I heard about RSV when she was a baby, but I didn’t really understand how serious it could get, she never got sick like Taj did.
• Pay attention to increased respiration. Babies are breathing heavily when you can see their collarbone and their tummies suck in by their lower ribs – those are warning signs to watch for.
• Use a thermometer. I was surprised how high my son’s temperature was. When I put my hand on his forehead it didn’t feel that hot. Now I use a thermometer to be accurate.
• Know when to call for help. Keep going back if your child is not acting how they typically do. Ask for more help even if you’ve already been, especially if something doesn’t feel right.

You can learn more at Lung.org/rsv

Taj’s RSV Story is reprinted with permission. (Courtesy, the American Lung Association)

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