'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
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.