Rebel's Story

Santanna’s second child Rebel was only four weeks old when she caught RSV from her two-year-old brother in July 2023.

By day three of cold-like symptoms, baby Rebel took a turn for the worse and was rushed to Monash Children’s Hospital.

Mum and baby were place in an isolation ward where Rebel was diagnosed with RSV.

Telltale signs of respiratory distress were on full display, including Rebel’s chest, ribs and throat pulling in as she worked to breath. Baby Rebel was also lethargic and unable to feed properly.

Placed on high flow oxygen and a nasogastric tube for feeding, Rebel’s condition continued to deteriorate, with oxygen levels plummeting.

On day seven of the illness, X-rays confirmed doctors’ suspicions – Rebel had pneumonia and a collapsed lung.

Thankfully, Rebel responded to intravenous antibiotics and started to improve dramatically around two weeks into the ordeal.

In total, new mum Santanna (who was still recovering from a c-section) and baby Rebel spent a week in hospital.

Santanna described feeling like her “world was ending” and she had subconsciously “prepared for life without Rebel” during the height of her illness, something which Santanna believes impacted her ability to bond with her baby for a time afterwards.

Santanna remembers the sound of Rebel’s oxygen monitor beeping every time her levels dropped to a dangerous level. “I’m not sure if I could handle hearing that beeping sound ever again. It would bring me back to a time that was a beyond stressful.”

Doctors have warned that Rebel now has scarring on her lungs and may be more susceptible to further lung infections and ongoing breathing issues such as asthma.