'Absolutely terrifying': Two-month-old Sudbury boy hospitalized with RSV
A Sudbury family is sharing their story after their son spent a week in the hospital with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Jessie and Justin Gilroy said their son, Rhett, began vomiting and had a slight cough two weeks ago.
Jessie said her son is usually a happy, bubbly boy, but something didn’t seem right.
“His breathing was becoming super short and we know now it’s because his lungs were inflamed from the virus,” she said.
After rushing their son to Health Sciences North, the Gilroys said they were grateful staff attended to him right away.
“He was crying, throwing up, you could see in it his chest, his breathing struggles,” Justin said.
They said they were told Rhett might have to be put on a ventilator in the neonatal intensive care unit.
“That was absolutely terrifying because we both haven’t slept in a full day,” Jessie said.
“We’re wondering ‘what is going on? What does that mean?’”
Rhett was then quarantined in a room with a ventilator, double IVs and he was sedated.
“It was almost six days we couldn’t hold him,” Jessie said. “We could hold his hand and talk to him and sing to him and it kind of helped him.”
Rhett gradually began to get better and was finally able to go home one week later. He turned three-months-old just a few days ago.
“He was off his ventilator and he was sitting in a little chair and he’s looking around,” Jessie said.
“He’s all happy and that was the biggest turning point.”
A Sudbury family is sharing their story after their son spent a week in the hospital with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Jessie and Justin Gilroy said their son, Rhett, began vomiting and had a slight cough two weeks ago. (Photo from video)
While their son has improved, the Gilroy’s said they are still cautious. They say they’ve cancelled their Christmas plans out of precaution.
They say they want to raise awareness about the seriousness of RSV, and respect other parents’ wishes.
“It’s crazy how one little kiss can turn to that, or one little touch of the hand can do that,” Jessie said.
“It’s something that we never thought in a million years could happen to us and it was our worst nightmare.”
The Gilroys said they limit their social contacts and don’t know how this could have happened.
Carly Zubalich from Public Health Sudbury & Districts said there’s been a surge in respiratory illnesses across Canada. In Sudbury, she said hospital visits are at an all-time high compared to pre-pandemic.
“We’re seeing a higher number than what we’ve typically seen in the past number of visits for respiratory illness for individuals under the age of 18,” Zubalich said.
For most people, she said RSV causes only mild symptoms, but some groups are more susceptible to serious illness.
“There are some populations that are more vulnerable to more severe outcomes that would include older adults,” Zubalich said.
“(That includes) individuals with weakened immune systems, individuals with health conditions, along with individuals who are younger.”
The health unit recommends steps such as hand washing, masking in indoor spaces and staying home when sick to prevent the spread of illness.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.