'I thought she just had a cold, then the seizures started'

"The moment she weakly uttered "mummy" was a poignant glimmer of light in the overwhelming darkness."

On May 31, 2022, I encountered one of the most terrifying experiences a mother can face

The day began ordinarily enough, with a delightful outing to Coogee Beach to celebrate a friend's birthday, enjoying the simple pleasures of fish and chips in the sunshine. 

My two-year-old daughter, Nola-Rose, who thrives on social interactions, seemed perfectly fine, going to bed without a hint of the ordeal that was to unfold. 

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The next morning, while tending to my four-week-old son, Alfie, I was alerted by my partner, Gareth, that Nola-Rose felt unusually warm.

Assuming she was developing a minor illness, I was unprepared for the severity of the situation that quickly escalated. 

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Nola-Rose had been out with her family at Coogee Beach the day before she caught RSV. Picture: Supplied

"She began experiencing seizures, leaving me in utter panic"

Upon waking, Nola-Rose's temperature was alarmingly high, prompting me to administer Panadol and inform her daycare and my visiting mother that she would be staying home. 

However, within minutes of comforting her, Nola-Rose began experiencing severe seizures, a situation I had never faced before, leaving me in utter panic and desperately calling for emergency assistance. 

The rapid response from the paramedics brought a small measure of relief as we rushed to Sydney Children’s Hospital. 

There, the medical team's exceptional care and support were a beacon of hope amidst the fear and uncertainty as Nola-Rose continued to seize, barely responding to treatments and raising the frightening possibility of intensive care intervention. 

The moment she weakly uttered "mummy" was a poignant glimmer of light in the overwhelming darkness. 

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Nola-Rose in hospital with RSV. Picture: Supplied

Little brother Alfie also caught RSV. Picture: Supplied

"The ordeal was far from over"

The diagnosis of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) following numerous tests was a shock, particularly as Nola-Rose had displayed no prior symptoms. 

Her five-day hospital stay was a testament to the dedication and compassion of every staff member at Sydney Children's Hospital, yet the ordeal was far from over. 

Alfie, too, was soon hospitalised with RSV and bronchiolitis, a stark reminder of the virus's severity and the complexities it brings. 

Navigating this harrowing period, particularly with the recurring impact of RSV on Alfie, was a profound struggle, compounded by the lack of widespread awareness and a vaccine for this pervasive virus. 

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The burden of fear and helplessness, coupled with the guilt and anxiety over the health of my children, has been an indescribable journey. 

I am profoundly grateful to the medical staff at Sydney Children’s Hospital for their unwavering support and care, which played a crucial role in Nola-Rose and Alfie's recovery. 

Their resilience and the joy they bring to our lives are sources of immense relief and happiness, yet the memory of those fraught days lingers, a constant reminder of the fragility of health and the importance of vigilance. 

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Jodie Rose with her partner Gareth and kids Nola-Rose and Alife. Picture: Supplied

"No parent should have to witness their child in distress from preventable diseases"

As I reflect on this experience, my hope is to raise awareness about RSV, a virus that remains under-recognised yet poses a significant threat to our children's well-being. 

The absence of a vaccine after years of research is a concerning gap in our healthcare system's ability to protect the most vulnerable. 

It is a call to action for greater support, research, and eventual immunisation against RSV, to shield other families from the pain and fear we endured and to fortify our healthcare infrastructure against the challenges of such viruses. 

My partner and I stand in full support of future advancements in immunisation and healthcare that can prevent such ordeals, aspiring for a future where no parent has to witness their child in distress from preventable diseases. 

The journey through RSV has been a stark reminder of the preciousness of health and the critical importance of medical science in safeguarding our loved ones. 

Originally published as 'I thought she just had a cold, then the seizures started'