RSV...question help

Don't have feel silly for asking questions. It's how we as mothers learn. I'm sorry to hear you are having a rough time. I had 2 preemies. 32 and 26 weekes. My DD (32 weeker) was two and a half when she got pnemonia and RSV. The doctor's never once told me she's not a preemie anymore. They both always had ear nfections left and right also. They are now 4 and 3. I would just let her rest. Make sure she takes lots of fluids in. Watch when she breathes. If her chest looks "hollow" when she breaths in or her nostriles flair, bring her in. I was always told to look for these two signs. If she starts wheezing when she breaths, I would also call. Keep her inside as much as you can and wamr. Not over bundled because you don't want her to get hot. And let her sleep. A lot of babies sleep through illnesses. It's their bodies way of fighting off whatever it is. And if you get worried, take her to the doctor's. Don't worry about what they say. It is better to be over worried than not to worry at all and something happen. Good luck and I hope you both feel better soon.

I think all of us would agree that you can't be too careful with our preemies no matter what their age. I know several babies that were 2 before they got RSV for the first time, so I would be concerned too. My pedi doesn't ever tell me to quit worrying, but I do think he thinks in his head that i over react. But like PP said, watch her and see how she's breathing. If she wheezes or seems to be laboring with breathing, definitely take her in. You can't be too careful and no matter what, trust your gut instinct!!! I hope Kallyn feels better soon. And take care of yourself too. I think you've been working a ton of hours lately. I pray you both get better soon!!!

I agree with this.  Definitely keep a close eye on her.  My son was born 33/34 weeks & had no lung problems either.  First year he was fine but he also had RSV shots.  2nd year he got 3-4 ear infections. ruptured eardrum, Pneumonia, & RSV.  I was at the doctors every 2 weeks & would go 3-4 times when I went.  I think he had the flu too before he got the shot.  It was a crazy, worrisome cold/flu season. 

Oh, & I'd definitely switch doctors.  I would NEVER, EVER stay with a doctor who says I'm overreacting.  I expect my doctor to take me seriously no matter how many times I bring them in & the day she says that is the last day I see her and I file a complaint. 

For example, (this is what I'm used to) my sons had the flu a month ago.  They had fevers for several days.  I took them to the doctor (not theirs) 3 days after they had fevers & the doctor let me know how long the fevers should last & anything beyond that then there was probably another infection going on & to bring them back.  I took my baby to Urgent Care 2 days later & they did a urine and blood on him.  As a precaution he was given an antibiotic shot & told to see his doctor next day.  I took both of them in & he was retested.  My oldest was given a chest xray as a precaution although she didn't hear anything.  He has Asthma & she heard coughing, gave him 2 breathing treatments, cough syrup, & an antibiotic just in case.  She saw something on xray.  Now several doctors wouldn't have even bothered with an xray.  That's the level of care I expect for my children.  Treat me & my health flimsy if you must because I can fight for myself but don't ever treat my children badly. 

Don't ever settle when it comes to your kids, especially our Preemies.  They deserve the best & you know your child better than any doctor ever could!  Good luck, Mama!

Quoting AngelCodysMom:

 I would just let her rest. Make sure she takes lots of fluids in. Watch when she breathes. If her chest looks "hollow" when she breaths in or her nostriles flair, bring her in. I was always told to look for these two signs. If she starts wheezing when she breaths, I would also call. Keep her inside as much as you can and wamr. Not over bundled because you don't want her to get hot. And let her sleep. A lot of babies sleep through illnesses. It's their bodies way of fighting off whatever it is. And if you get worried, take her to the doctor's. Don't worry about what they say. It is better to be over worried than not to worry at all and something happen. Good luck and I hope you both feel better soon.

i am suprised her pedi didnt suggest the rsv shots when she was born. Typicly my insurance wouldnt cover that shot since its a series of 3 shots and it costs 500$ a shot but becasue my son was a preemie they covered it.

And i know how you feel about your child being treated like a full term baby, My son is 2 and half and we still have some issues with eating,size,and speech. I had to switch to a family practice ped becasue my sons first pedi office would never give us the same doc at our appointments and they would make me feel like crap about his weight. I had to constently remind them Hello!!! he was a 2 pound baby how much would you like him to wiegh???

Until the flu season is over i would stick to staying home and staying away from crowds if possible, and if you do need to go out take some clorox handi wipes with you. i know it sounds like paranoid behavior but this is what we have been doing this flu season so far and none if us have got it *knock on wood*

good luck, i hope your munchkin feels better soon, you can always take her to the doc and have her tested.

-ash

Quoting ashleykilleen:

i am suprised her pedi didnt suggest the rsv shots when she was born. Typicly my insurance wouldnt cover that shot since its a series of 3 shots and it costs 500$ a shot but becasue my son was a preemie they covered it.

RSV shots are given based on certain criteria.  Being a Preemie isn't enough to qualify.  Out here I was told they're $1200-1500 a shot.  If your baby is born under 32 weeks they will give them the shots but if they're older than that they're considered Borderline (32-34 weeks) & they can get the shots if they have medical problems.  Otherwise they may get them if they're in a daycare or have school age siblings in the home but that's a doctor call.  My sons Ped is the one to approve/disapprove for our area & we had to fight with my oldest.  He was considered borderline & had not health issues.  We were told if he'd been born in April (by the hospital) he would have gotten the shot.  We fought & fought & finally DB convinced the doctor to get it.  With my 2nd born at 35 weeks we didn't even bother fighting.  I had a different Ped, straight Medi-Cal at the time & she said he needed them because he was a Preemie and had heart murmurs.  State paid for them but if we didn't have Medi-Cal he wouldn't have got it.  They fight tooth & nail against it.  Same thing with my son's dental surgery.  But I fought harder. :) 

oh ok, i wasnt aware there was a critera for this shot. My lil boy was a 31 weeker born april 30th. He didnt have many issues aside from apnea episodes which they sent us home in a monitor for. They also had him on caffine aswell.

I dont understand why this shot is only giving to very early babies,would it be helpful to give this to all infants if the parents ask for it?

Quoting mommy2cristian:

Quoting ashleykilleen:

i am suprised her pedi didnt suggest the rsv shots when she was born. Typicly my insurance wouldnt cover that shot since its a series of 3 shots and it costs 500$ a shot but becasue my son was a preemie they covered it.

 

 

RSV shots are given based on certain criteria.  Being a Preemie isn't enough to qualify.  Out here I was told they're $1200-1500 a shot.  If your baby is born under 32 weeks they will give them the shots but if they're older than that they're considered Borderline (32-34 weeks) & they can get the shots if they have medical problems.  Otherwise they may get them if they're in a daycare or have school age siblings in the home but that's a doctor call.  My sons Ped is the one to approve/disapprove for our area & we had to fight with my oldest.  He was considered borderline & had not health issues.  We were told if he'd been born in April (by the hospital) he would have gotten the shot.  We fought & fought & finally DB convinced the doctor to get it.  With my 2nd born at 35 weeks we didn't even bother fighting.  I had a different Ped, straight Medi-Cal at the time & she said he needed them because he was a Preemie and had heart murmurs.  State paid for them but if we didn't have Medi-Cal he wouldn't have got it.  They fight tooth & nail against it.  Same thing with my son's dental surgery.  But I fought harder. :) 

I think the theory is that if they're born before 33 weeks then they'll have health problems 9 times out of 10, especially because of lung maturity.  They warned me that my 34 weeker would not be able to come home with me & more than likely have to stay until his due date.  They were ready to send him home 2 days later after birth.  So there's a presumption there that Preemies will be born sick.  Not true in all cases as you know.  Plus, the fact that it's so expensive & insurance companies don't want to cover it.  I think the statistics on the shot are that it's only 50% effective so it doesn't prevent RSV, just minimizes the chances of getting it by 50%. 

Oh, & if you could make arrangements to pay for it I'm sure they'd be more than willing to give it. :)

Quoting mommy2cristian:

Quoting ashleykilleen:

i am suprised her pedi didnt suggest the rsv shots when she was born. Typicly my insurance wouldnt cover that shot since its a series of 3 shots and it costs 500$ a shot but becasue my son was a preemie they covered it.

 

 

RSV shots are given based on certain criteria.  Being a Preemie isn't enough to qualify.  Out here I was told they're $1200-1500 a shot.  If your baby is born under 32 weeks they will give them the shots but if they're older than that they're considered Borderline (32-34 weeks) & they can get the shots if they have medical problems.  Otherwise they may get them if they're in a daycare or have school age siblings in the home but that's a doctor call.  My sons Ped is the one to approve/disapprove for our area & we had to fight with my oldest.  He was considered borderline & had not health issues.  We were told if he'd been born in April (by the hospital) he would have gotten the shot.  We fought & fought & finally DB convinced the doctor to get it.  With my 2nd born at 35 weeks we didn't even bother fighting.  I had a different Ped, straight Medi-Cal at the time & she said he needed them because he was a Preemie and had heart murmurs.  State paid for them but if we didn't have Medi-Cal he wouldn't have got it.  They fight tooth & nail against it.  Same thing with my son's dental surgery.  But I fought harder. :) 

DS just got his first RSV shot today.  He was 35 weeks & my oldest is in preschool.  They will only cover shots up to 3 months of age for his gestation/situation.  Criteria are very strict for those shots.  My 32 weeker never even fell into the category to get the shot.

OP: I'd take her in if it makes you feel better.  If your gut says she isn't acting right then I'd take her in.  It also doesn't sound to me like you've been running her in & out of the docs office for no reason.  Kids react differently to things.  Each of my older 2 have had one ear infection each.  My oldest had 104 temp at the onset of the infection & my middle child had almost no fever with a roaring infection.  Crazy.

Good Luck!

 

DS just got his first RSV shot today.  He was 35 weeks & my oldest is in preschool.  They will only cover shots up to 3 months of age for his gestation/situation.  Criteria are very strict for those shots.  My 32 weeker never even fell into the category to get the shot.

OP: I'd take her in if it makes you feel better.  If your gut says she isn't acting right then I'd take her in.  It also doesn't sound to me like you've been running her in & out of the docs office for no reason.  Kids react differently to things.  Each of my older 2 have had one ear infection each.  My oldest had 104 temp at the onset of the infection & my middle child had almost no fever with a roaring infection.  Crazy.

Good Luck!

 

Really?  Both of my kids received the shot for the entire cold/flu season (Oct.-April).  And you're right.  My 1st used to get ear infections but before the infection showed he would get fevers for a 2-3 days.  They'd finally find it on the 2nd or 3rd trip.

Unfortunately, this year they really strapped down on who could get it.  Last year our son did get it because he was under a year and was born at 28 weeks. This year because he is over a year old, they won't get it for him. The pedi says he needs it but the insurance disagrees. And yes, it is upwards of $1600 a shot depending on the child's size. Plus, the number of shots depends on where you live in the US. We live in PA so he would need to get 6 of them. Too expensive for us.  

Another preemie we know born at 28 weeks that was in the NICU with us got RSV last year even though she got the Synagis shots. Her mom was told that had she not gotten the shots, her case of RSV would have been much worse, but the Synagis made it less severe.

I also have a friend who has a teen now who was not a preemie and he got RSV when he was 2. It was awful and he had to be hopitalized. She said it was the worst things she's ever been through. Don't know what they make Synagis with, but it must be worth like gold. You'd think it would save insurance co.'s $$ by keeping these babies out of the hospital, but with the price of it for 6 months, maybe not (like $9600).

Unfortunately, our healthcare system is so dependent on the bottom line - the almighty dollar. I guess we just need to vigilant and make sure we keep our preemies safe. Keep them out of public if you must. That's what we're doing with Derek this year. No shopping, no grocery stores, no church - nothing. It is our only safeguard.