Saturday, December 4, 2010

What in the world is Bocavirus?

I can tell you some things about it....it is what has brought Ethan into the hospital again.  It is the new 'it' virus and for the majority of us, it is just another strain of the common cold.  But for those with less healthy immune systems it often means a hospital stay (just like RSV).  We brought Ethan to a clinic because he hadn't been wetting diapers much and was vomiting.  I was worried he was starting to get dehydrated.  When we got there, the doctor was more worried about his O2 stats so she sent us to the ER.  Good thing too, as he got much worse through the night.  At one point they were giving him 100% oxygen (with nasal prongs and blow by air) and he still wasn't able to keep his numbers up, they worried he would have to be sent to the critical care unit and were talking about intubating him.  Which would be a 'normal' fix...but not a task easily achieved with Ethan.  He cannot be intubated, and hasn't been for his past surgeries or medical tests.  Thankfully, after many treatments and several last resort meds, Ethan was able to keep his O2 above the 90 mark with the help of oxygen.  Every time he went to sleep his stats would plummet.  We were in the ER for about 20 hours when we were moved to the paediatric floor because they were able to switch off his blow by oxygen and a bed became available.  They have since been able to ween his O2 dependency to 1.5 litres (down from 3 - which is the most they like to give with nasal prongs).  He developed bronchiolitis (from bocavirus) and the mucus in his lungs is too thick for him to move so in addition to all the meds they're giving Ethan saline treatments and are blowing humidity in his face.  It is hard to see him having such trouble, usually he is able to cough up what bothers him and hasn't really require O2 since they weened him in the first month of his life. :(  On a bright side, he is starting to feel a bit better...but we might be here for a while as he fully recovers.

3 comments:

  1. Oh no!! I am so sorry to hear that you are back in hospital. I hope that he is home soon in his own comfy bed.
    The normal saline treatments are our saviour for Sophie when she is really congested and blocked up.
    We will be thinking of you and sending healthy thoughts your way.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sorry to hear that you guys are still there!! I'm glad you have an answer as to what it is and that he's starting to feel better. Big hugs. Hope Ethan is feeling better and home loooooong before Christmas!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks guys...he's still in and they're joking (?) about us being there for the big move on the 12th. It'd be nice to see the new digs...but I'm sure it can wait. ;) I haven't seen him today and that feels really weird, hope the weather lets up and roads are more safe soon!

    ReplyDelete