Miracle mum Philippa shares Tristan’s birth story:

Almost every June (Winter), my child gets RSV.  

RSV is short for Respiratory syncytial virus and is the most common cause of respiratory and breathing infections in children. It is a virus that causes infection of the lungs and breathing passages and is one of the most frequent causes of the common cold. 

Tristan was born at 37 weeks with a long list of medical conditions and spent time in Brisbane’s woman’s NICU, with one of his diagnoses of bronchopulmonary dysplasia or undeveloped lungs/airways puts him at risk when RSV season starts.  

The immunology team at Perth Children’s Hospital have a good action plan for him which involves trying to keep Tristan out of hospital when he is sick as much as possible, he uses reliever medications called bronchodilators, nebulisers, and steroids to help keep his airways open, but they are no match for RSV.  

He has required oxygen and the support from the immunology/respiratory team at the hospital, IV fluids and sometimes antivirals. He has contracted pneumonia from the RSV on several occasions as well.  

Watching my child go through this illness every single Winter, without being able to do anything to stop it, breaks my heart.  

Having a vaccine to prevent or lesson the symptoms of this virus would mean so much to me and my family, and families of other sick and premature babies.