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Country music singer Lisa McHugh has told how her baby daughter spent 10 “horrendous” days in hospital after contracting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
RSV is a common, but highly infectious, respiratory virus that affects the breathing system, particularly in young children and older adults.
“You feel so helpless, and it’s the most horrible feeling for a parent to go through, to not be able to fix what’s going on or help,” said Ms McHugh.
According to the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland, there have been more than 1,000 cases of RSV in infants under the age of one since 30 September 2024.
About two thirds of the infants have been hospitalised.
An RSV vaccine has been available to pregnant women in Northern Ireland since last September and is offered from 28 weeks into pregnancy.
Lisa McHugh’s then four-month-old daughter Hallie caught a cold in November 2024, which turned into RSV. She ended up in hospital, where she had to be tube fed and received oxygen. Her mother praised the staff at the hospital for their care.
Dr Nicholas Lipscomb, a consultant paediatrician in South West Acute Hospital, said RSV is a seasonal infection and they see a lot of patients between November and February every year, but this winter has been particularly bad.
He said while most babies and children do not need hospital treatment, the younger the child, the more likely it is for them to need hospitalisation, particularly if they are struggling to breathe and feed.
For a very young baby, particularly an ex-premature baby, or baby who maybe has an underlying heart issue, it can be very dangerous.
Lisa McHugh, who is originally from Glasgow, said a vaccine was not available to her before she gave birth. “Had it been something that was offered to me at the time, knowing what I know now and what we’ve been through, I would 100% take it myself,” she said.
Adults aged from 75-79 years of age are also being offered the vaccine, as they can be vulnerable to the virus.
How to stop RSV spreading:
* Be aware of RSV and not be afraid of speaking up to protect your baby.
* Wash your hands regularly and ask others to do the same.
* If you have a cold or sniffle, avoid visiting your baby.
* Ask your doctor for advice if your baby has symptoms.
Symptoms of RSV:
* A blocked or runny nose
* A dry cough
* Fever
* Sometimes breathing problems
* For most children, it will be mild and can be treated at home with infant paracetamol or ibuprofen.
* Call your GP or seek medical advice if your child is not feeding normally, is breathing fast or has a high temperature that will not go down.
* Call 999 if your child is exhausted from trying to breathe.
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