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Original poster

5 week old has RSV and influenza

22 replies

coco111 · 07/12/2023 15:46

My 5 week old started to sound congested a week ago. On Sunday she won't up with a gunky eye so took her a&e. They said she just had a bad cold and an infection and sent her home. This morning she woke up had her eye looked worse and her cold had got worse so I took her back to A&E. Again, they said it's just a bad cold and keep giving the eyedrops and sent her home. They did take some swabs though. They've just rung me to say she has tested positive for influenza and RSV they said to really monitor her over the next 24 to 48 hours as things can get worse very quick. Now I'm absolutely petrified I don't know what to do. She's so small and Dainty and I feel so useless that I can't help. Has anybody got any advice or has anybody else experienced this? I'm so scared.

OP posts:
carddino · 07/12/2023 15:50

Oh OP that sounds scary for you.

Ok, I suppose it's a case of step by step.

I would be watching for any change whatsoever and straight back.

Temperature, take it regularly.

Like hourly.

Watch her chest for breathing.

My second had rsv at this age, was not admitted but I basically watched her for days.

Original poster
coco111 · 07/12/2023 15:58

Thanks for your reply. How long was she sick for before she started to get better?! I have a 4 and 6 year old who must of brought it back from school because they've both been sick and no matter how hard I tried to keep them away from each other she's caught it. She just sounds so so bunged up. She's not coughing yet. I'm just so scared because they said I really have to monitor her over the next couple days I don't think I will be able to sleep.

OP posts:
carddino · 07/12/2023 16:03

I think about a week. But was at worst for around 48 hours.

Thing is I suppose, anything can turn quickly.

Take Friday, we were at Christmas fair, no issues. 10pm I'm at a and e with a child with a burst ear drum and ear infection.

Follow instinct, look for anything unusual, less wet nappies, etc

SnapdragonToadflax · 07/12/2023 16:10

That sounds really scary, I'm sorry. All you can do is keep a very close eye on her and trust your instincts. My son had RSV at 10 weeks and I only took him to the GP because he was very bunged up and just not behaving quite right. She rang an ambulance 😳 Thankfully he was ok after 24 hours.

Look up what chest and neck/throat retractions look like, if baby is struggling to breathe at all go straight back to A&E. Keep a close eye on her temp and nappy output - very few wees indicate a problem.

Realistically you probably won't get much sleep. Can you do shifts with another adult?

LightSpeeds · 07/12/2023 16:14

My girls had RSV at two weeks old (they were premature and very small). I had never heard of RSV and didn't know what the warning signs were. One of them became very ill indeed.

So, you also need to watch out for sleepiness and not waking for feeds or feeding much.

I hope she's OK. x

ShirleyPhallus · 07/12/2023 16:18

What a worry OP, I’m sorry. One of mine had RSV about 8 months old and that was concerning enough.

Be aware of what the warning signs are - look out for baby struggling to breathe, so pulling in under ribs, flaring nostrils, base of neck sucking in.

if you’re BF keep doing that as that will be good for her and help her to breathe

If in doubt, go back to hospital, they’d rather see a tiny baby

endofthelinefinally · 07/12/2023 16:24

Absolute red flags are rapid breathing and inability to feed, any colour change - dusky round mouth. There are lots and lots of videos of the signs to look out for. Any doubt at all, take her straight back.
My second baby caught RSV via his brother's toddler group. It is so hard to protect them when you have other children. He was in hospital for 4 days and made a good recovery.
I am sorry they sent you home, it is frightening.
Have you got someone there to look after other children and can someone drive you back to hospital if necessary?
Prepare a bag with clothes, nappies, snacks, drinks, phone and charger.

Original poster
coco111 · 07/12/2023 16:35

It's just so scary that she knows she has RSV and influenza.

Now I'm thinking, what day are we on of the RSV because she has been congested for a week now, but since yesterday as she has got a lot worse. She's definitely not drinking as much, but the doctor said as long as she's drinking half of the amount that's okay. I've been pumping as much as possible, just so I can keep my eye on how much she's actually having. She just genuinely sounds like she cannot breathe through her nose.

OP posts:
Original poster
coco111 · 07/12/2023 19:28

endofthelinefinally · 07/12/2023 16:24

Absolute red flags are rapid breathing and inability to feed, any colour change - dusky round mouth. There are lots and lots of videos of the signs to look out for. Any doubt at all, take her straight back.
My second baby caught RSV via his brother's toddler group. It is so hard to protect them when you have other children. He was in hospital for 4 days and made a good recovery.
I am sorry they sent you home, it is frightening.
Have you got someone there to look after other children and can someone drive you back to hospital if necessary?
Prepare a bag with clothes, nappies, snacks, drinks, phone and charger.

Yes I have my husband here thankfully. I've never been so scared in my life. She's such a small little baby. She's definitely getting more congested. I'm using saline drops and clearing the snot out but not helping at all. I don't want to go back to the hospital and they just send me back home .so unsure what to do

OP posts:
ShirleyPhallus · 07/12/2023 19:51

Have you got a snot sucker OP?

Original poster
coco111 · 07/12/2023 20:10

ShirleyPhallus · 07/12/2023 19:51

Have you got a snot sucker OP?

Yes I've been using saline drops and snot sucker. Wish there was something I could give her

OP posts:
carddino · 07/12/2023 20:38

She's a tiny baby positive for rsv. If you think she's getting more congested take her back. Every time. Follow that instinct and go.

ShirleyPhallus · 07/12/2023 20:40

If you’re worried do take her back OP, you can’t be too careful with little ones

endofthelinefinally · 08/12/2023 07:13

Take her back. Don't hesitate if she is worse.

endofthelinefinally · 08/12/2023 07:14

It isn't just snot, it is inflammation that causes all the tissues to swell. Saline and a snot sucker won't help that.

Original poster
coco111 · 08/12/2023 15:18

Just an update. I took her back. They used a suction to help her the mucus from her nose which helped for a short while. After monitoring her for five hours we have been sent home again. Even though her cough sounds terrible and she is so so bunged up the consultant said because she is still drinking at least half her milk and doesn't need oxygen by the sound of it then there's not much else they can do. Really hope she gets over the worse of it soon because the coughing and gagging is so so scary

OP posts:
GodspeedJune · 08/12/2023 15:24

How stressful for you. Each day she is a day further through it, I hope the worst is over for you both soon.

Are you managing to get any rest? Do you have grandparents or others on hand to help with either your older children or to watch her while you have a nap?

SkyFullofStars1975 · 08/12/2023 15:35

My then 12 day old baby (born at 36 weeks and only 6lb) got RSV and ended up being tube fed and ventilated.. all thanks to a visitor who came with a cold Hmm she went very dark/blue under her eyes and around her mouth, she was too sleepy to feed properly and her chest was receding when she took a breath in. The neonatal unit wouldn't have her as she'd been discharged, and the children's ward wasn't in any way suitable for a baby of her age - I had to sleep in a chair for 4 days post C section and my scar got infected because there was nowhere for me to wash. And her weight dropped to 5lb. Not the best time of my life.

Don't lie them flat - prop their bed up or let them sleep on you so they're upright. And take shifts with someone so you can closely watch for any changes. It's a nasty virus and I hope they're better soon.

Toddlerteaplease · 08/12/2023 15:35

Paediatric nurse; make sure she's not working too hard with her breathing. Signs of distress are; nostrils flaring, sucking in between or under her ribs, and her head bobbing when she breathes.

Feed her smaller amounts more frequently, as she will get tired with feeding. And a full tummy makes it harder to breathe.

If she's not feeding and or struggling to breathe take her back to A&E.

Original poster
coco111 · 08/12/2023 17:18

Toddlerteaplease · 08/12/2023 15:35

Paediatric nurse; make sure she's not working too hard with her breathing. Signs of distress are; nostrils flaring, sucking in between or under her ribs, and her head bobbing when she breathes.

Feed her smaller amounts more frequently, as she will get tired with feeding. And a full tummy makes it harder to breathe.

If she's not feeding and or struggling to breathe take her back to A&E.

Thanks so much! She's in actually feeding ok I'm trying to give less more often. The cough sounds really bad though, is there anything I need to look out for with that?

OP posts:
tdino · 09/12/2023 20:41

How is your baby @coco111

Original poster
coco111 · 09/12/2023 20:55

tdino · 09/12/2023 20:41

How is your baby @coco111

I think we might be over the worst fingers crossed. We are currently on day five and I know they say RSV is at its worst between 3 to 5 days. Cough is still absolutely terrible, but she is feeding well and is more alert now. Still very congested and stuffy, but we will just have to take each day as it comes.

OP posts:
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