Emily's First Ear Infection

Well, we just got back from our first unscheduled trip to the Dr's office. The girls have had coughs all week and Emily's breathing was sounding rattle-y. You could feel it when you had your hand on her back. Both girls are super happy, sleeping well (at least at night), and eating like formula is going out of style. But the rattle got me thinking about RSV and pneumonia and all the things we want to avoid. I've mentioned RSV before, it's basically a virus that a healthy adult would get over in about 1-2 weeks and it's passed like the common cold. Almost all infants will contract RSV by the time they are two, but preemies, children less than 2 years of age with congenital heart or chronic lung disease, and children with compromised (weakened) immune systems due to a medical condition or medical treatment are at highest risk for severe disease. Those with severe disease have a good chance of ending up in the hospital. Since we are in daycare and the girls were considered mirco preemies we are approved for the Synagis shot for the next six months (our first one is this Friday!). RSV outbreak season various by what part of the country you are in. In Oregon RSV season is Nov - April but in Florida it's July - February. Yikes that's a long time! Synagis gives your baby a dose of virus-fighting substances called antibodies to help prevent serious RSV infections. It doesn't completely protect a baby from RSV but it lowers the chance that an RSV infection is serious enough to end up in the hospital. It's VERY expensive and I am so grateful that my insurance covers it. Not sure if they will next year, but I think the older and bigger the girls get the better they will do at fighting off these infections.

Now that I've just written a book on RSV...the girls DO NOT have it. Turns out it's just a normal cold but Emily does have a very mild ear infection. The Dr. told me what else to look for, but based on the wiggling & laughing & playing, he said he sure didn't see sick babies in the room. :) That's a relief, but I'm glad I decided to go in. Having preemies is a whole different ballgame. The common cold scared the crud out of me just because of the RSV factor - but we've been so lucky and healthy thus far I'll just keep my fingers crossed we finish out the winter the same.