RSV

RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS.  Maybe you have heard of it.  It is usually a virus infection of the lungs that new Moms fear for their newborns.  They are vulnerable because of their underdeveloped immune system.  Most of us have it at some time and is sometimes referred to as a "cold" in healthy adults.  For anyone with a compromised immune system, this virus can be very serious.  Lee has this virus in his lung.  We found out today when we had our clinic visit.  The bronchoscopy that was done on Monday did show RSV.  He was hospitilized immediately after leaving the clinic and is now on the 7th floor @ Duke.

He is on isolation and will be receiving special inhaling drugs along with antibodies to help fight the virus.  The good news is that it was caught before he got into acute respiratory distress.  We have been told that he should respond to the treatment in about 5 days.

After getting Lee settled into admissions, I had to leave him and go to Urgent Care Duke.  I had been advised to be examined because I probably had the same virus and cought it from Lee.  It is contagious so we are staying away from everyone.  After seeing that I was already on a strong antibiotic to prevent bacterial bronchitis,etc.  the doctor said to just leave it at that and use vaporizer, mucinex and the prednisone if I do not show good results by Sunday.

So................there you have it.................another exciting day in our life.  Of course we are very concerned about this but at the same time hopeful that Lee will finally get rid of this persistant lung infection.  At least we now know what we are dealing with.  He never did respond for a long period of time when treated as a bacterial infection.


Thank goodness for Dennis.  He came from Raleigh and took me to Urgent care.  I was so tired!  Lee and I had been at the hospital or clinic since 7:30 this a.m.  We were both very tired.  Speaking of that, I am ready to go to bed. 

More Later......................................Brenda