Aurora is sick - today is day 3 and the doctor says she has...
...Bronchiolitis
Bronchiolitis is a common illness of the respiratory tract caused by a respiratory infection that affects the tiny airways, called the bronchioles, that lead to the lungs. As these airways become inflamed, they swell and fill with mucus, making it difficult for a child to breathe.
The illness affects infants and young children most often because their small airways can become blocked more easily than those of older children or adults. Bronchiolitis typically occurs during the first 2 years of life, with the peak occurrence at about 3 to 6 months of age. It's more common in males, children who have not been breastfed, and children who live in crowded conditions. Day-care attendance and exposure to cigarette smoke can also increase the likelihood that an infant will develop bronchiolitis.
Although it's often a mild illness, some infants are at risk for a more severe disease that requires hospitalization. Conditions that increase the risk of severe infection include prematurity, prior chronic heart or lung disease, and a weakened immune system due to illness or medications. Children who have had bronchiolitis may be more likely to develop asthma later in life, but it's unclear whether bronchiolitis causes or triggers asthma, or whether children who eventually go on to develop asthma were simply more prone to developing bronchiolitis as infants. Studies are being done to clarify the relationship between bronchiolitis and the later development of asthma.
Bronchiolitis is usually caused by a viral infection, most commonly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV infections are responsible for more than half of all cases of the illness and are most widespread in the winter and early spring. Other viruses associated with bronchiolitis include influenza and adenovirus.
Source: http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/bronchiolitis.html
As a result, Aurora has to use a nebulizer every four hours. At least it's cute looking. It's a penguin!
And her breathing mask is a fish.
Lucky for us, she's still so chipper and smiles even though she's barely breathing and coughing up a storm. God Bless her. She's been a real trooper too with the breathing mask. She didn't cry once, not even the first time she got the treatment in the doctor's office today from the nurse.
So, yes I had Michael take pictures. Good or bad, things like this go in her baby book that I have. If you want to see more then go here:
http://www.michaelulrich.com/photos/2007/01-27-2007%20Aurora%20nebulizer/
Also, any prayers and good thoughts would be appreciated since if I end up having to have her breathing using the nebulizer more than the four hours prescribed (like every two or so) then she will need to be hospitalized. Hopefully that doesn't happen.
Bronchiolitis is a common illness of the respiratory tract caused by a respiratory infection that affects the tiny airways, called the bronchioles, that lead to the lungs. As these airways become inflamed, they swell and fill with mucus, making it difficult for a child to breathe.
The illness affects infants and young children most often because their small airways can become blocked more easily than those of older children or adults. Bronchiolitis typically occurs during the first 2 years of life, with the peak occurrence at about 3 to 6 months of age. It's more common in males, children who have not been breastfed, and children who live in crowded conditions. Day-care attendance and exposure to cigarette smoke can also increase the likelihood that an infant will develop bronchiolitis.
Although it's often a mild illness, some infants are at risk for a more severe disease that requires hospitalization. Conditions that increase the risk of severe infection include prematurity, prior chronic heart or lung disease, and a weakened immune system due to illness or medications. Children who have had bronchiolitis may be more likely to develop asthma later in life, but it's unclear whether bronchiolitis causes or triggers asthma, or whether children who eventually go on to develop asthma were simply more prone to developing bronchiolitis as infants. Studies are being done to clarify the relationship between bronchiolitis and the later development of asthma.
Bronchiolitis is usually caused by a viral infection, most commonly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV infections are responsible for more than half of all cases of the illness and are most widespread in the winter and early spring. Other viruses associated with bronchiolitis include influenza and adenovirus.
Source: http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/bronchiolitis.html
As a result, Aurora has to use a nebulizer every four hours. At least it's cute looking. It's a penguin!
And her breathing mask is a fish.
Lucky for us, she's still so chipper and smiles even though she's barely breathing and coughing up a storm. God Bless her. She's been a real trooper too with the breathing mask. She didn't cry once, not even the first time she got the treatment in the doctor's office today from the nurse.
So, yes I had Michael take pictures. Good or bad, things like this go in her baby book that I have. If you want to see more then go here:
http://www.michaelulrich.com/photos/2007/01-27-2007%20Aurora%20nebulizer/
Also, any prayers and good thoughts would be appreciated since if I end up having to have her breathing using the nebulizer more than the four hours prescribed (like every two or so) then she will need to be hospitalized. Hopefully that doesn't happen.