A mother has told of her alarm when her three-week-old baby contracted a contagious respiratory virus. Lara Bowen's son Billy spent three days in hospital hooked up to oxygen and antibiotics as he fought the infection, which can lead to severe lung problems. Lara was afraid he would suffer long-term issues and was anxious about him picking up other illnesses.
But Billy is now a healthy 11-year-old - and his mother has spoken out about that frightening time ahead of a new vaccine roll-out Lara Bowen, who lives in Brighton , gave birth to Billy in 2012. She noticed her newborn was unwell. She said: “He was a bit snuffly and sleepy.
He wasn’t waking to feed as normal and I noticed his little chest was heaving.” Lara took him to the GP, who told her to take Billy straight to A&E. Billy when he was unwell (Image: UK Health Security Agency) She said: “It all felt a bit surreal.
They put him in a little bed and hooked him up to oxygen and IV antibiotics as a precaution in case he developed a bacterial infection. “He slept for almost the entire time because he seemed to have little energy for anything else. “Luckily, I was still able to feed him.
I know of babies who get even more unwell with bronchiolitis and their mothers have trouble holding and feeding their babies because of all the extra wires, monitors and tubes.” READ MORE: Sussex woman with brain injury as a teen to do charity swim Billy remained in hospital for three nights with bronchiolitis, which is caused by a viral infection, usually respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). “I was worried he might experience long-term health issues and there would be a weakness there afterwards,” said Lara.
“I was extra anxious that he would pick up another cold because his brother was picking up everything going at nursery. Billy now, age 11 (Image: UK Health Security Agency) “He did not suffer any long-term problems thankfully and is a very healthy, active 11-year-old.” RSV typically infects 90 per cent of children within the first two years of their life and normally triggers mild, cold-like symptoms.
However, in serious cases, it can lead to severe lung infections such as pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis. It is also a leading cause of infant mortality, resulting in 20 to 30 deaths a year. Lara has shared Billy’s story ahead of the rollout of a new RSV vaccine in September, which could prevent 5,000 hospitalisations and 15,000 emergency department attendances for infants.
Professor Dame Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said: “These two new RSV vaccine programmes - one for pregnant women and another for older adults as they turn 75 - offer huge opportunities to prevent severe illness in those most vulnerable to RSV, helping to protect lives as well as ease NHS winter pressures. “UKHSA has provided critical scientific information to evidence the benefits of a national RSV immunisation programme and so the rollout of the vaccine is a truly positive moment for the public’s health. “I urge all those eligible to take up the offer when the programmes begin in September.
” Andrew Gwynne, minister for public health and prevention, said: “Maternal vaccinations are crucial to protect newborns from life-threatening illnesses like RSV. “Sadly my grandson caught RSV just days after he was born. It led to weeks in intensive care and persistent, long-lasting health issues.
I wouldn’t wish that on any family. “This new vaccine programme offers us an opportunity to prevent similar trauma, helping stop thousands of hospitalisations while saving precious lives.”.
