Mum's warning after baby contracts RSV at five days old: 'My husband said, "She's blue"'
By Naomi White|
A mum has warned of the dangers of RSV after her baby contracted the virus at just five days old.
The unnamed mum shared her story with first aid education service Tiny Hearts, who posted it to their Instagram page.
The reel shows photos of baby Indianna, as her mum recounts the sudden and drastic downturn her baby experienced.
After the mum and her husband noticed their baby was congested, they took her to an after-hours clinic, who told them it a virus but that it could be managed at home.
Watch the video above.?
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But when Indianna began experiencing what the mum described as 'choking fits', the concerned parents called an ambulance.
"It was two minutes of hell where her little body tried to clear the congestion and she gasped for air," the mum explained.
Paramedics, however, told them it was likely her due to her formula, and suggested changing brands.
But on day 13, they said their 'worst fears were realised'.
"I was holding her over my shoulder and I felt her go floppy. Then my husband said those two words: 'she's blue'," she shared.
"From there it was a blur. But what I do recall is pulling her off my shoulder and my husband and I performing CPR. The very skills that Tiny Hearts had taught us. I don't remember how much time went by."
When paramedics arrived Indianna was breathing again, and after they were admitted to hospital doctors told them their daughter had RSV, otherwise known as Human respiratory syncytial virus.
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Most children will have had the virus by their third birthday, and while for most people it causes only mild symptoms, it is more serious in young children.
It can cause respitatory infections such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia in babies aged under one, and/or wheezing and difficulty breathing.
Last year, comedian Amy Schumer brought widespread attention to the virus after her son Gene was admitted to hospital after contracting it. ?
Sharing her story with Tuni Hearts, the mum said she wanted to warn other parents about the virus following their harrowing experience, saying knowing CPR saved their daughter's life, but also to reinforce pushing back against healthcare professionals if you feel your concerns aren't being taken seriously.
"No one knows your child better than yourself. Trust in your intuition and if something doesn't sit well, speak up before it's too late," she urged.
Many viewers shared similar experiences with the virus.
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"My little one contracted RSV at two-weeks-old and was crying constantly which was not normal. We took her to ICU and the nurse on duty tried to dismiss me by saying all newborn's cry," said one person.
"We [were] admitted for RSV and for three days he was under observation post which we were discharged when they were sure it was manageable at home. Never ignore your intuition."
"We had RSV last year. It is SO awful," shared another.
"This exact story happened to us night after night sent home from the hospital peak Covid until he turned blue and we were rushed in an ambulance to the hospital for oxygen and admitted," added a third.
"We just returned home from seven days in hospital (including four days in ICU) with our seven-week-old baby. We took him to ED with mild work of breathing and difficulties feeding. He deteriorated rapidly and ended up sedated, on oxygen and NG tube. He was a very sick baby diagnosed with RSV," another parent commented.
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