….or probably more correctly, God intervened:)! Ty DID get his RSV shot AND I was told that insurance approved the shot for the next 5 months! Yipppeeee!
Susie – In regards to your comment on this, I am assuming that Ty is getting the second full season because (a) he was a 25 weeker and (b) he was on oxygen until nearly 10 months. I heard that the qualifications were if they turned 1 year during their first season (which Ty did), that they would NOT get the shot the second season. I also heard that they WILL get the shot the second season but only up until their second birthday. In Ty’s case, I guess his Dr. pushed for the entire season and it looks like he got it.
Also, the nurse that came out to give Ty his shot yesterday told me something interesting. He told me that RSV is a common cold (knew that) but one that produces A LOT OF mucus. For this reason, tiny babies, and lung comprised babies have trouble handling the sheer volume of fluid that RSV produces – thus the problem.
He also said that babies UNDER 6 months of age WILL NOT breathe out of their mouth EVEN IF their nose is completely plugged. This makes RSV VERY dangerous for infants because if both of their nostrils plug they will suffocate. Why hasn’t anyone ever told mothers in general this???? Apparently, after 6 months of age, babies will start breathing out of the mouth if they need to but under that age they won’t. I had no idea how important those bulb syringes are for little one’s with colds. Thought many of you would appreciate that tidbit!
4 responses to “Mama Wins!”
good job mama bear! Ben was only 3 weeks early and I (along w/ my doctor) forced the issue w/ my insurance company and got 2 years of RSV shots. The only difference is during the 2nd year, Ben required 2 vials due to his weight. He is my little one that had RSV @ 5 weeks…I had no idea of the seriousness of the disease in little ones until our hospital stay was almost over. I hope you have an easier season getting your shots on time and without hassle! Love, Jenn
Doni~
Don’t let the doctors tell you that once they hit 2 they no longer are in danger of getting RSV. My son got the shots until he was 2 (he was born at 26 weeks weighing 1 lb 11 oz.) and at 2 1/2 he got RSV!!! We went to the emergency room and they told us it was just an upper respitory infection, I fought with them for several hours to get him tested. They told me they would do a RSV test basically to shut me up and sure enough it came back positive!! Trust your instincts!! Even after he was diagnosed we almost lost him – can’t even imagine what would have happened if I wouldn’t have pushed for the test. Let’s hope you don’t have the same issues.
Wow! it seems forever sence I have read your site info, and so I guess that leaves me to reply a little late. Thanks for the info. I have learned alot about RSV with my two youngest having to be in the ICU because of it, and because of this it upsets me that the state health boards only allow certain infantant/toddlers to obtain it’s benifits. I have had six children, four of them premature, and although my two youngest have had most of the set backs due to there prematurity, it does not seem fair for any parent to have to stand over an ICU bed waiting and watching to see if that child will make it through the night. I don’t want to sound selfish, but I know that the RSV shot can give one more boost to get through the winter and I believe that the state needs to reconcider there motives and make it mandory for all children preterm or full term to get it. I am happy for Ty and delighted that he was able to recieve it, yet at the same time I still stand highly upset over the fact that I almost lost my son just 11 months ago to the RSV virus and know that nothing I do or say can change the insurances way of thinking he does not need it.
Thanks for the info Doni! I’m glad you share… and SOOOO thankful you had the peace of mind of knowing your guy got what he needed – and on time too! Wow! Answer to prayer!