RSV, Adenovirus, AND EnteroRhino...SPEECHLESS

Those of you that have followed us for some time (some since the beginning), thank you and those of you that are just joining us, thank you.  What those of you that have been following for awhile will know and what those of you that are new will find out is that this child is a Boy Wonder in every sense of the word.  At some point I hope he'll realize he doesn't need to challenge Dr's around every corner he turns.

Emerge entertainment

We got Mr.B's viral panel back late yesterday afternoon.  One would think (as I thought) that I would feel relief knowing what we are dealing with...(you might want to sit for this or be away from small children because you might let a bad word out!)...

Mr.B tested positive for:

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a virus that infects the lungs and airways (breathing passages). RSV can affect anyone of any age, but it's most common in infants and young children. In fact, it's so common that almost all children have been infected with RSV by the age of three.
RSV is usually a mild disease that goes away on its own. In very young children RSV can sometimes lead to serious infections like pneumonia or bronchiolitis (a swelling of the bronchioles — the smallest air passages of the lungs).
 
Warning signs of a serious RSV infection
These signs may mean your child has a more serious case of RSV. Get emergency help right away if your child has:

• trouble breathing (check)
• fast, rapid breathing (check)
• wheezing (check)
• deeper and more frequent coughing (check)
• blue lips or fingernails (check)
• dehydration (check)
• difficulty breast feeding or bottle-feeding (check, g-tube feeding)

Most children with RSV who are sick enough to go to the hospital are either very young (infants) or have an underlying health condition, like heart or lung disease.


AND...

Adenovirus:

Adenoviruses are a group of viruses that can infect the membranes (tissue linings) of the respiratory tract, eyes, intestines, and urinary tract. They account for about 10% of acute respiratory infections in kids and are a frequent cause of diarrhea.
 
Depending on which part of the body is affected, the signs and symptoms of adenoviral infections vary:
 
Febrile respiratory disease (check), an infection with fever of the respiratory tract, is the most common result of adenoviral infection in kids. .
Adenovirus often affects the lower respiratory tract as well (check), causing bronchiolitis, croup, or viral pneumonia, which is less common but can cause serious illness in infants. Adenovirus can also produce a dry, harsh cough that can resemble whooping cough (pertussis) (check).
Gastroenteritis (check) is an inflammation of the stomach and the small and large intestines. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, vomiting, headache, fever, and abdominal cramps.
Genitourinary infections (check, B's lack of urine output): Urinary tract infections can cause frequent urination, burning, pain, and blood in the urine. Adenoviruses are also known to cause a condition called hemorrhagic cystitis, which is characterized by blood in the urine.
AND MORE...


AND...

Entero Rhinovirus:
(this is the lovely virus that ended us up in PICU a year and a bit ago on a ventilator for 10 days, with another three weeks in hospital)

More than any other illness, rhinoviruses (rhin means “nose”) are associated with the common cold. Rhinoviruses may also cause some sore throats, ear infections, sinus infections, and to a lesser degree, pneumonia and bronchiolitis (infection of the small breathing passages of the lungs).
 

Children may also develop symptoms such as

• Sneezing (check)
• A mild fever (101°F–102°F or 38.3°C–38.9°C) (check)
• Headaches (probably, check)
• Sore throat (check)
• Cough (check)
• Muscle aches  (check)
• A decrease in appetite (check)

 

How? How? How does ONE child (Mr. Talented B) end up with ALL THREE at ONCE???

 

We've always known that B does things in his own way, on his own time but man, this one has stumped me!  Having ONE of these would stress me out, having all three?  Off the charts.

 

What does this mean?  Well it means that B is one sick kiddo and that we've got a very long haul (is the assumption) back to wellness ahead of us.  His body is obviously very tired and very run down right now.

 

The AMAZING news?  He's doing better in terms of moving some air in his lungs.  He's able to maintain his sats for the most part on the three litres of oxygen and he's finally responding to the non-stop (every hour) ventolin boluses.  He still is really only using one lung for most of the work (due to the illnesses clogging his lungs) but he's doing it.

 

He had another long night in terms of lack of sleep but he didn't need any other intervention (like c-pap or more).  The STEP (ICU) Team was happy with what they saw at 1am (and again at 6am).  They are even at the point that they are considering discharging him (from ICU care only) this afternoon.

 

We're not out of the woods by any stretch, it is very possible for this to turn again on us on a dime, but for now, there is hope in my heart.

 

The fact that B is fighting all three of these and (seemingly) winning?  Well it makes the tears fall freely down my face.  Any one of these viruses could set him back months and to be fighting all three back with a vengeance?  This child astounds me.

This is about the right energy level...

Thank you everyone for your continued support and encouragement.  Thank you to those of you that have gone over and above to care for us (again) through another one of our hurdles (Laine K, Kristina Mc, June (Kelsey) O, Lorna Z,  Ashley (and Rene) R. and Tara (and Lorraine) A.  I can't tell you (again) how blessed we are for those of you that offer us help in our times of need, so many of you go over and above.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

 

From Our (Stressed Out Unit 2/ICU Bed) Home To Yours...