What Is RSV?
RSV is a virus that infects the lower respiratory system and
is most common in infants. As Traz would
say, “It’s a cold gone wrong”. He’s not
too far from the truth. RSV has very similar symptoms. In order of least awful to most awful it
goes: cold, flu, RSV. So what makes it
worse than a cold? RSV can affect the oxygen levels in blood. This happens because the mucus and gunk that
forms in the lungs can block or inhibit air flow. What is tricky is that it
often only stops that flow when the person is asleep.
Nyte had a very wet sounding cough and a runny nose on the 1st
of March (Friday). Traz and I talked about it and we decided that it was just a
cold. Nyte had a runny nose the last time he was teething too. So we paid no
mind. But that Sunday Nyte was having a really hard time. Lots of coughing, not
eating as much, and having a REALLY hard time sleeping. We decided that we would call his doctor’s office
to cancel his immunization appointment and to find out if we should have Nyte
seen.
The next day I ended taking Nyte to the doctor. Everything
seemed to be going fine. No fever, nothing wrong with ears. Then the lady who
was seeing Nyte took a listen to his lungs. There was something amiss with his
lower right lung. Next thing I knew, I was at the hospital getting Nyte x-rayed
and having his mucus tested for RSV. He tested positive. This meant I got to be
up every two hours testing his oxygen levels with an oxymeter and every four
hours giving him albuterol via a nebulizer. I was told that if Nyte’s oxygen
levels went below 90% when he was asleep at night (and that’s below 90% all
night) I would have to take him to the hospital. He never reached 90% during the night.
So Off We Went
 |
| Playing on the hospital bed |
We didn’t get to the hospital until about 2:30pm on Tuesday.
They connected Nyte to an oximeter that would be constantly monitoring his
oxygen levels. Traz came about an hour
later and we played with Nyte as much as we could. He was supposed to have his
nose suctioned every two hours. Luckily, after a nurse came in and suctioned
his nose after he had gone down for bed only 40 minutes before and and I
couldn’t get him to sleep until 1am, I had that put to an end.
 |
| Still so happy |
 |
| Sleeping with his oxygen mask on |
During the night, Nyte’s oxygen level didn’t alter too much.
They had Nyte go through deep suction, which was just awful for me since they
have to put a tube up his nose and down hiw throat. They were talking about
having us leave in the morning. Then everything changed during Nyte’s first
nap. His oxygen levels would pop up to 90% and then drop down to as low as 80%.
The nurses had us wake Nyte up because they couldn’t get ahold of his doctor to
find out what to do. The doctor got back with them and ordered Nyte to get put
on oxygen. Nyte was put on oxygen after
another deep suction treatment. He didn’t like the mask at all. When Nyte fell
asleep, his oxygen levels were normal! So normal that he was able to get off on
the oxygen, although his mask stayed on. He liked it a little better when the oxygen
wasn’t running.
 |
| His hair was CRAZY after his nap |
Nyte’s doctor came in and checked out his body. Everything
seemed fine. So he gave us two choices: 1) stay another night just to make sure
everything is ok or 2) Go home with an oxygen tank (just in case) and an
oximeter. It was hard to ignore Traz jumping up and down behind the doctor
holding up the number 2 in his fingers.
Needless to say, we went home that night (Wednesday). Nyte
was very happy to be home. Not so happy to get his nose suctioned by me and
having to breathe in saline every few hours, but still happy. Nyte is feeling
better. His oxygen levels are better and I’m getting all the gunk out of his
lungs. I’ve had to put him on oxygen a couple of times but not a lot which is a
good sign.
So What Have We Learned?
Traz and I wish we could just go back in time and do it over
again. We would have gotten a humidifier and really made sure his nose was
clear. We never did before because he hated the syringe bulb soooo much. Lesson
learned. All you first time moms out there should learn from our mistake. Your
baby will not like getting their nose cleared with the bulb syringe but it
helps so much in the long run. Get an electric one if you have the money and
aren’t confident in your syringe skills. But do it. Because you never know when
it’s more than a cold, and your baby isn’t getting enough air in their blood.
They hate it but it will save you a lot of worry in the long run.
So other than that, nothing much left to report, other than
we have filed our taxes and are excited for our refund. Hellooooo school loan
payments. At least part….who knows how big this hospital bill is going to be….
Until Next Time!
-The Waymans
