Mum’s Heartbreak as Baby Fights for Life after Deadly Infection Was Mistaken for a Cold

A mother has issued a stark warning to parents after almost losing her baby to a deadly infection she initially mistook for a common cold. Louise Keegan, 30, believed her six-week-old daughter Ember was suffering from a typical virus in November 2022 and didn’t initially worry about her baby’s irritability and sniffles.

However, after a few days, Louise noticed that Ember developed a concerning cough, prompting her and their husband Matthew, 27, to seek medical advice. The nearest hospital was 20 miles away from their home in Dalbeattie, so the couple decided to phone their local GP, who arranged an appointment, as reported by the Daily Record.

At the doctor’s office, things quickly took a turn for the worse. Louise recalled: “We were sitting in the surgery with Ember on my lap when a man commented that she was fast asleep. I turned her around but quickly realized her lips were blue and she was unresponsive and I just went into shock.”

The doctor immediately acted, rushing to put an oxygen mask on Ember and calling for an ambulance. Louise and Matthew were hurried to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, where Ember was diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

“We were whisked away to the hospital and I was petrified that my baby was going to die,” Louise said. Upon arrival, a team of doctors and nurses were waiting, and they immediately moved Ember to a resuscitation room. Louise watched in horror as the medical staff surrounded her daughter, battling to save her life. “It was so overwhelming and probably the worst moment of my life,” she said.

Fortunately, after some time, the doctors began to step back, signaling that Ember had been stabilized. She was transferred to a ward, where she remained on an oxygen mask for several days. The next day, Ember was well enough to go home, though her immune system remained compromised, and she continued to suffer setbacks when she picked up viral infections.

Since then, Louise has been deeply traumatized by the experience and admits she now panics every time Ember sneezes. Reflecting on the difficult time, she said: “I was grieving at the time after losing a close family member and beat myself up about not noticing the symptoms sooner.”

Now, Louise wants to ensure other parents are aware of RSV’s symptoms and urges them not to send children to school or nursery if they are showing signs of illness to prevent the spread of the virus. “Ember is a little bundle of energy and always having fun, but it could have been so different if we hadn’t got her to the hospital in time,” she said.

RSV symptoms can resemble a cold but may develop into a more serious illness. If you notice worsening cough, shortness of breath, or rapid breathing in your child, seek medical help immediately.