Is RSV always a hospital trip?

[Lefmry]

So my middle child came down with a cough, cold type symptoms etc about 10 days a go. His cough was awful, absolutely awful, I’d never heard anybody cough so much before honestly. After 3 days of it I took him to the doctors who said he didn’t want to prescribe antibiotics for no reason but gave us a prescription for some anyway and told us to wait 3 more days before giving them and see how he was. Of course the next day he seemed sooo much better so we never started them. He’s been better every day since.

My youngest who is only 11 weeks old started to get cold symptoms last Sunday (so 3/4 days a go) and had obviously caught it from her brother. I don’t ever like risking it as she’s so little so took her to the doctors Monday because she was coughing a lot. Doctor checked her over everywhere and said she was absolutely fine and just needed lots of cuddles.

Today her cough started to sound to me even worse and she’s just generally so unbelievably miserable, sleeping a lot and honestly it’s the cough, I hate hearing it because it puts me in a panic as she’s just sooo little. Took her to the doctors again who a second time checked her over, said she was pulling in a little at her ribs and it seemed to her that she had RSV but ‘minor’ and ‘is coming to the end of it’.

I just worry as all the stories I’ve heard or read about babies seem to always require a hospital visit when it comes to RSV. I can’t help but think should I be taking her? Or do I just trust the two doctors I’ve seen and calm down a bit? 🥴

My daughter was over 2 when she got RSV and I took her to A&E when she had a coughing fit and couldn’t catch her breath. This was just after a GP visit where they put her on a nebuliser. If it doubt take her, trust that Mum instinct. My DD oxygen sats were in the 80s and we ended up in hospital for over 48 hours.

When my DD was little she was in hospital a couple of times with bronchiolitis - first time the GP thought she was ok but told us to go to a&E just to be on the safe side. Her 02 levels were in the 80s when we got there & she was admitted for a week. The second time the GP said her chest sounded clear but she seemed more unwell in the night - went to the walk in first thing and they called the ambulance for her as sats low.
That's a long way round of saying better to get her checked if you're worried

Apparently RSV peaks at day 3, but saying that did the gp check your little ones oxygen level? If there's pulling in at the ribs I'd be inclined to take a trip to a&e to be honest, is little one's breathing fast?

I would take her and then if you can I would invest in an owlet. They pick up so much from older siblings and it’s honestly the only thing that’s kept me sane with my youngest this year when he’s got every bug going from his brother. I’ve still taken him to the doctors to be checked when I’ve been worried but I’ve then been able to let it go when they’ve said he is ok and his oxygen levels are good on the monitor

If you have any worries, get her checked again.

Here is the NHS page: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/

Many kids who catch RSV do not need hospital - parents would just think it was a cold.

But watch your baby and don't worry about asking the same questions again if she doesn't seem right.

Get her checked if you're worried, but that should be on the basis of symptoms - if she's bad enough to want to get her checked it's irrelevant the exact virus that's causing it.

I used to get so overtired because of the effect their illnesses had on sleep that I couldn't judge whether they were getting better or worse - if you're like that it can be useful to video the breathing so you have something to compare against later in the evening if you decide not to take her in yet.

Babies can have bronchiolitis and not have rsv we used to keep all the positive rsv together away from the rest of the babies who didn’t. My own son had rsv and I used reduced feeds (fed little and often) raised his crib at the head and lots of cuddles. He did cough and sound crap but he was ok and stayed at home with me, however I’m a paeds nurse with lots of experience so I would say if in doubt get them seen.

I’d rather see a baby than not and they come in poorly because parents don’t want to bother you. That’s why we are here, and yes winter is busy but I’m hoping the vaccine with massively help numbers drop in future. I hope your baby is feeling better soon but do just get her checked if you’re worried your instincts are generally correct and if she’s ok then it’s reassurance for you

Thank you everybody! I’m going to monitor her tonight and if I think she’s worse I’ll obviously be taking her in. She’s feeding as normal, I’m keeping an eye on her temp and it’s normal, plenty of wet and dirty nappies etc. had a lovely awake period earlier where she was cooing at me but still cannot help but worry. The doctor checked and listened to every part of her chest and back and said it sounded all in her throat. Didn’t check oxygen levels though no! 😩

Hi

We've just returned from a 5 day hospital stay with our 14 week old baby who contracted RSV and developed Bronchiolitis as a result.
It was absolutely terrifying seeing her wired up to machines with tubes up her nose etc but it really is best to get seen ASAP xxx

Thanks again everybody for the advice and concern. We are now 4 days on from this post and little miss is doing so much better. She does have an awful sounding cough still though, just wondering whilst I’ve got you all here when the cough tends to get better and disappear?