Health

Desperate dad begs for people to wash hands before touching babies

After his baby nearly died from a deadly virus, a father has made a desperate plea for people to be strictly hygienic when touching little ones.

The dad shared his story on Imgur, saying that she was admitted to hospital with a mild case of viral meningitis. She recovered in a couple of days but the real horror began when she contracted the highly contagious Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

He goes on to say in the highly emotional story that his little girl ‘flatlined’ and was put on a ventilator before being taken to a bigger hospital.

“We almost lost her last Monday. Our local hospital told us if she got any worse there was nothing more they could do for her,” he wrote.

She was then diagnosed with “a severe case of pneumonia, type h flu, bronchiolitis, and a partially collapsed right lung,” with the father saying that’s it been a “rough week for my little one.”

But it seems like she’s on the mend, with the relieved dad saying: “She has beaten so many odds this past week and made me even more proud to call her my daughter.”

“The PICU nurses have been literal life savers. We might even be able to go home this weekend.”

He then goes on to say how important it is to follow strict hygiene when interacting with babies.

“RSV is no joke. I didn’t know much about it until a week ago when it almost took my daughter from me. Please make sure to wash your hands before handling little ones. And make sure to wrap them up when heading outside into the cold,” he said.

The Mayo Clinic reports that RSV can be easily spread.

“It spreads easily when infectious respiratory secretions — such as those from coughing or sneezing — are inhaled or passed to others through direct contact, such as shaking hands.”

The website continues: “The virus can also live for hours on objects such as countertops and toys. Touch your mouth, nose or eyes after touching a contaminated object, and you’re likely to acquire the virus.”

Best to heed this advice!

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