Bronchiolosis

Erin started having a cough on the evening after her MRI. Since she'd been cleared that morning by the anesthesiologist with just a normal stuffy nose, we initially thought it was due to the tube for or the effects of the anesthesia.

On Saturday, we thought she was getting better, so we got our Christmas photos taken and even took her to an early Christmas party. On Sunday, Kurt headed out of town to Louisiana for a few days. Unfortunately, that evening her coughing returned and by Monday evening, Erin was running a temperature of 101 F. So, the next day I took her back in to see Dr. Grier.

After five hours, a chest x-ray and lots of waiting in doctor's offices and running errands, I finally made it home with Erin and her diagnosis of bronchiolosis (most likely RSV), with a secondary ear infection. Dr. Grier said Erin probably got a "double whammy" by being at the tail end of her head cold when she was exposed to a child with RSV in her day care on Friday.

RSV, is a type of respiratory virus. It's like the flu in that there are so many different strains that you never develop an immunity. In adults, it apparently mimics a really bad head cold, however in babies, the symptoms include nasal congestion and coughing and last about 3 weeks. It is very serious in babies under two months, and in older babies if they become "air starved". So, I had to give Erin breathing treatments (albuterol through a nebulizer) twice daily. Luckily, after the first one or two, she didn't seem to mind them too much, unless she was hungry, and would nap during most of them.

Needless to say, Kurt's trip was cut short and I didn't do as much for Erin's first Christmas as I would've liked to. However, the most important thing was taking care of Erin; and she's on her way to feeling like herself again.

Update 1/19/09: Erin has been over her ear infection and bronchiolosis for several weeks now and had no unexpected complications or lasting effects.