Do not underestimate RSV

When Marie Compagnon bought home newborn Elio during the height of the COVID pandemic in 2020, the family did what they could to protect him.

Elio’s one-year-old brother Zane was attending daycare, so “no-kissing” and strict handwashing habits were enforced, with any signs of possible illness closely monitored.

When Elio was five weeks old, brother Zane came home with a “sniffly nose” and – despite isolating the children – within days Elio developed cold-like symptoms.

When these symptoms progressed into breathing difficulty, Elio was taken to the GP who advised that Marie should keep a close eye on his breathing in case anything changed, and if so, go straight to hospital.

That afternoon, “Elio went downhill in a big way.”

“Our baby was struggling to breath and looked really pale so we went straight to Westmead Children’s Hospital. A triage nurse took one look at Elio and admitted us to an isolation ward,” Marie recalls.

There, Elio was diagnosed with RSV. He immediately received high-flow oxygen and a nasogastric feeding tube while being monitored around the clock.

Elio was showing signs of respiratory acidosis, indicating his little body was not receiving adequate oxygen, despite additional breathing support being provided.

“I kept asking the medical staff if he was going to make it and all they could tell me was they were doing everything they could to help him. To not have that reassurance filled me with dread because it made me realise how sick Elio really was,” Marie said.

After four days in hospital, suddenly and seemingly out of nowhere, little Elio bounced back. From there he was moved out of isolation and onto Westmead’s Hunter Bailee ward – or the “RSV ward” as staff referred to it – for monitoring.

“The moment he gathered enough strength to rip his oxygen tubes out, we knew he was getting better,” Marie said.

“It was the best feeling getting discharged from hospital. The relief was overwhelming. That said, the staff at Westmead were simply amazing and I cannot thank them enough.”

Marie still remembers the experience like it was yesterday. “RSV was by far my scariest parenting moment. All I can tell other new parents is do not underestimate RSV - it can be incredibly serious and is so contagious.”