Lisa McHugh describes the horror after her daughter caught RSV.

County Fermanagh-based country music singer Lisa McHugh has told how her baby girl spent 10 “horrendous” days in hospital after contracting the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

RSV A common, but highly contagious, respiratory virus that affects the respiratory system, especially in young children and older adults.

“You feel so helpless, and it’s the most horrible feeling for a parent to know what’s going on or not be able to help,” Mrs McHugh said.

According to the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland, there have been more than 1,000 cases of RSV in children under one year of age since 30 September 2024.

About two-thirds of infants are hospitalized.

An RSV vaccine is available. Pregnant women Offered in Northern Ireland from last September and from 28 weeks of pregnancy.

In November 2024, Lisa McHugh’s then four-month-old daughter Haley came down with a cold.

Her GP told her to monitor Hallie’s symptoms and if the baby is feeding well, taking wet nappies and has a good temperature she can manage her at home.

But Hayley’s condition worsened and she was admitted to the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH). He was diagnosed with RSV.

“From that moment on, it was all a blur and it’s still something I don’t think I’ve fully processed,” Ms McHugh said.

“He had to be tube-fed, and then he had to go on oxygen, because his oxygen levels were dropping below what he needed to do on his own.

“Within a few days, she was really in denial. It was absolutely terrifying to see her child lying there so helpless.

“It’s scary because you can’t do anything for them, even though you’re trying.

“I just knew I wanted to be in the best place for him, and being at home is not the safest place,” she said.

He praised the “incredible” SWAH staff who “couldn’t have looked after him better or looked after us better”.

“Haley was very, very sick with it, but it could have been a lot worse,” she said.

Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common virus that causes coughs and colds.

Dr. Nicholas Lipcomb, a pediatrician at SWAH, said RSV is a seasonal infection and he sees a lot of patients between November and February every year, but this winter has been particularly bad.

While most babies and children don’t need hospital treatment, the younger the child, the more likely they are to be hospitalized, especially if they have trouble breathing and eating, she said. Struggling to feed.

“For a very young baby, especially a preterm baby, or a baby who may have a heart problem, it can be very dangerous,” he said.

“For the majority of children, it’s just an unpleasant disease. But for those who are particularly at risk, it can be potentially life-threatening,” he said.

Ms McHugh, who is originally from Glasgow, said the vaccine was not available to her before birth.

“If this was something that was offered to me at the time, knowing what I know now and what we’ve been through, I would have taken it 100% myself,” she said.

Adults aged 75-79 years They are also offered vaccines, as they may be susceptible to the virus.

Hailey caught RSV again just four weeks after being discharged from the hospital.

“Thankfully, we were more prepared this time. We knew what to look out for. We knew how to treat him. And thankfully, his symptoms weren’t as bad,” she said.

The child was hospitalized for a day, but made it home for Christmas. Now six months old, she is doing fine.

“His immune system is very, very low, and it probably will be for a while, until we can build it back up.

“I’m still very protective of her, just because I know she needs it.”

She is urging parents to be more aware of RSV and not be afraid to speak up to protect their child.

“If someone wants to visit your child and you want them to wash their hands before touching them, just ask nicely. Or if you have a cold or the sniffles, wait until then. Leave until you feel 100 percent better.

“That’s your job as their parent.”

• RSV starts with a stuffy or runny nose and can progress to a dry cough, fever, and sometimes difficulty breathing.

• For most children, this will be mild and can be treated at home with children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen.

• Call your GP or seek medical advice if your child is not eating normally, is breathing fast or has a high temperature that won’t go down.

• Call 999 if your child is tired from trying to breathe – you may see the muscles under their ribs sucking with each breath or they may be pale and sweaty.