Having an infant can be scary by itself. It is even scarier when the infant becomes ill. A Memphis, Tennessee father recently had a frightening experience with his infant daughter that he shared with the online community of Imgur that has now gone viral.
In early 2016, the father rushed his infant daughter to the hospital after she fell ill. She flatlined at the hospital, but the pediatric team managed to revive her and put her on a ventilator. It took the medical team a few weeks, but they finally came to a diagnosis for the infant that surprised many- respiratory syncytial virus or RSV.
The doctors told the father that if she got any worse there would be nothing they could do for her. Not only was the poor infant fighting RSV, but she was also fighting bronchitis, type H flu, a severe case of pneumonia, and a partially collapsed right lung. Somehow, his “little fighter” pulled through and survived.
In February of 2016, the infant’s father posted photos of his “little fighter” on the site Imgur to spread the word about the illness and warn others with infants. He wanted to educate others that RSV is common, nearly 60% of all infants in the United States will contract the virus which can cause a respiratory tract infection.
RSV is contracted through transmissions like sneezing or coughing, or with direct surfaces. To lower the risk of spreading RSV to an infant, wash your hands before handling them and wipe down any surface before placing them on it.