This morning we have woken up with Esther and William, but particularly William, suffering with a snotty nose and a tickly cough. They are fine in themselves but it is less than two weeks since the end of William’s last cough and cold. It is clear to me that William’s chest is definitely weaker than Esther’s perhaps because of the small heart defect that he had when he was born. Now that Esther and William are bigger and stronger it is easy to forget that they are classed as having Chronic Lung Disease because of the length of time they needed CPAP and oxygen support when they were born.

Last winter we were very strict about people coming to the house, mixing with people who had colds and we did not go to any baby classes. This winter David and I have decided that it would not be good for me or Esther and William to go that deep into isolation again.
But now here we are seven days into October and the official RSV season and both Esther and William are ill. I do not know what to do!

I want to continue going to baby classes. We go to Gym Babes twice a week, Jo Jingles music session and Fun Train for music and movement. Esther and William love their classes and I would hate to have to make them stop. But at the same time I do not want them to be ill all through the winter and I do not want either of them to end up in hospital. I am not sure how we would cope especially with one baby at home and one on a ward. How on earth would you split your time?

RSV affects a large proportion of all babies. Around two-thirds get RSV before they are one year old. If your baby was born prematurely, is prone to getting lung infections or was born with a congenital heart problem, they could be at greater risk of being made more seriously ill were they to become infected with RSV. A baby who was dependent on additional oxygen for several months, like Esther and William were, is at particular risk.

For more detailed information about RSV you can read the letter that we sent out to everyone last year but this year what can we do to protect Esther and William from RSV, and what can we ask you to do to play your part?

Here goes …

Please do not visit us if you are unwell particularly with coughs, colds and sneezes.

When you do visit us please wash your hands when you come into the house and/or use antibacterial hand sanitiser

If you work in a school environment or with young children please change out of your work clothes before having contact with Esther and William.

If we are supposed to be meeting you or coming to visit you please tell us if you are ill and we will most likely have to rearrange

As you can hopefully see we are being more relaxed than last year when Esther and William were so new and so tiny but we are still trying to be careful, as I am certain that you would if it were you.

Thank you all for being so understanding.

The RSV season runs from October to March in the UK.