Evelyn and Dakota’s Story
When Evelyn, at just one and a half years old, came down with a harsh cough and mild fever, her mom, Samantha, initially thought it was a common cold. But when the Green Bay mother noticed Evelyn's symptoms began to worsen, her husband took Evelyn to a local urgent care while Samantha stayed home to care for her 7-day-old son, Dakota.
“It was there, that Evelyn was diagnosed with RSV. But at that point, it wasn’t a major concern for my husband or the doctor,” said Samantha. “Evelyn’s symptoms at this time included a low-grade fever, a cough, and some drainage. The doctor shared some tips on how to keep her hydrated and help keep her fever at bay, and my husband brought her home.”
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, often making it difficult for children to breathe because of a buildup of mucus and inflammation in the airways. While these symptoms initially were mild for Evelyn, they worsened just hours after her urgent care visit.
“Evelyn started to get fussy, lethargic, a bit pale, and her temperature had jumped to 103.6 degrees,” said Samantha. “We tried to bring her temperature down by soaking her in a cool bath and decided to call HSHS St. Vincent Hospital’s Emergency Department for guidance. A nurse there told us to listen carefully to determine if Evelyn was grunting, so we put the phone on speaker and the nurse said, ‘She is grunting, you have to bring her in.’ At that point, my husband put Evelyn in the car and headed to the hospital.”
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Understandably concerned, Samantha’s husband was headed to HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital’s pediatric emergency center in Green Bay which is staffed by specialists experienced in taking care of infants, children and adolescents. It was here the medical team recommended Evelyn be admitted to HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit.
“I had heard of St. Vincent Children’s Hospital but didn’t realize it was it was its own special entity within St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay – focused on kids,” said Samantha. “While I certainly didn’t want to be there, when I arrived, I was really impressed with how the whole department was catered to caring for kids. The nurses and doctors were so great, and they made sure Evelyn was taken care of at every step.”
Evelyn received 24/7, expert pediatric care at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital for a couple of days. Her father would spend his nights there and Samantha remained at her daughter’s side during the daytime. It was particularly challenging because Samantha had just given birth to her son, Dakota, about a week prior. Trying to offer her two little ones the love she wanted to was challenging, but she was thankful to have a team in her corner.
“I was touched by the St. Vincent team's care for my daughter and me. The nurses understood that I was vulnerable,” said Samantha. “They talked to my husband and I calmly and in ways we could understand. You could see the compassion on their faces. They clearly love kids and wanted to help.”
Evelyn eventually recovered and returned home, but the ordeal was far from over. Within a few days of her return, Samantha’s newborn son, Dakota, began having a runny nose and a cough. Despite keeping her babies separated as best as she could, constantly disinfecting the home and consistently changing clothes and washing her hands, her son contracted RSV as well. Dakota’s situation became critical when one evening his skin color turned gray, his lips blue, and he stopped breathing.
“I picked him up, blew on him and tapped his back until he started breathing again. It was beyond scary because one minute he’d be breathing fine and the next minute he would stop,” Samantha recounted. “My husband called 911 and an ambulance rushed Dakota and I back to St. Vincent Children’s Hospital.”
The team at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital’s pediatric emergency center were ready for Dakota upon their arrival. The experts in the emergency center gave him fluids, medication to help with the fever and oxygen to ensure he was stabilized. Then, the family was once again headed to HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit, a special place where true healing for kids goes beyond prescriptions and procedures.
“The care team was incredible and so patient with me during such a trying time. When Dakota started struggling to breathe on his own again, they shared that he would have to be connected to a ventilator to push air in and out of his lungs and that was terrifying,” said Samantha.
“But they didn’t start the procedure until it was thoroughly explained to me. We had several nurses and doctors in the room, who all knew exactly what they were doing, and they were so calm. I actually felt lucky to be surrounded by this team.”
After a total of 12 days in the hospital, Dakota was well enough to go home. Samantha credits the hospital staff with saving her son’s life. “I really do feel lucky to have been where I was. Everyone worked as a team, and they made sure Dakota was ready before sending him home. I recommend HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital to everyone.”
Reflecting on her family’s RSV journey, Samantha urges other parents to consider immunizations to protect against RSV. When available, RSV immunizations are offered to some pregnant mothers (to pass along protection to their babies), some infants, some small children and the elderly. When available, the immunizations can protect people from severe RSV symptoms.
“After what we went through, I urge everyone to do their research, and if it’s right for you and your family have your child get the RSV shot,” said Samantha. “If your child shows any signs of RSV, don’t wait—seek care immediately, and if you can, go to HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital. Their care is unmatched,” shared Samantha.
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For parents, Samantha’s message is clear: “Being overprotective during RSV season is okay. If your kids are sick, keep them home. Consider the immunocompromised children or elderly folks that your son or daughter might infect,” shared Samantha. “RSV is serious, and I wish I had prevented Dakota from being exposed. As parents, we are our children’s protectors and advocates.”
We want to emphasize the importance of preventing RSV in babies through our partnership with Prevea Health. To help ensure your little one is protected against RSV, pregnant women and newborns can often get vaccinated to receive protective antibodies that combat the virus. To learn more about preventive RSV treatment for children and babies (including those still in the womb), consult with your OB, pediatrician or family medicine physician at Prevea Health - they can discuss available options to determine the best course of action for you and your family.
At HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital, kids are a big deal. With kids being the focus of our lives, nothing is more important than their health and happiness. That’s why, with our partner Prevea Health, we built a children’s hospital within the walls of HSHS St. Vincent Hospital, right here in Green Bay. With every detail of our hospital tailored to kids, in a place close to home, you don’t have to drive far to get the best possible care for your children.
“It was there, that Evelyn was diagnosed with RSV. But at that point, it wasn’t a major concern for my husband or the doctor,” said Samantha. “Evelyn’s symptoms at this time included a low-grade fever, a cough, and some drainage. The doctor shared some tips on how to keep her hydrated and help keep her fever at bay, and my husband brought her home.”
When RSV symptoms worsen, expert care is right in Green Bay
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, often making it difficult for children to breathe because of a buildup of mucus and inflammation in the airways. While these symptoms initially were mild for Evelyn, they worsened just hours after her urgent care visit.
“Evelyn started to get fussy, lethargic, a bit pale, and her temperature had jumped to 103.6 degrees,” said Samantha. “We tried to bring her temperature down by soaking her in a cool bath and decided to call HSHS St. Vincent Hospital’s Emergency Department for guidance. A nurse there told us to listen carefully to determine if Evelyn was grunting, so we put the phone on speaker and the nurse said, ‘She is grunting, you have to bring her in.’ At that point, my husband put Evelyn in the car and headed to the hospital.”
Understandably concerned, Samantha’s husband was headed to HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital’s pediatric emergency center in Green Bay which is staffed by specialists experienced in taking care of infants, children and adolescents. It was here the medical team recommended Evelyn be admitted to HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit.
“I had heard of St. Vincent Children’s Hospital but didn’t realize it was it was its own special entity within St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay – focused on kids,” said Samantha. “While I certainly didn’t want to be there, when I arrived, I was really impressed with how the whole department was catered to caring for kids. The nurses and doctors were so great, and they made sure Evelyn was taken care of at every step.”
Care that goes beyond prescriptions and procedures
Evelyn received 24/7, expert pediatric care at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital for a couple of days. Her father would spend his nights there and Samantha remained at her daughter’s side during the daytime. It was particularly challenging because Samantha had just given birth to her son, Dakota, about a week prior. Trying to offer her two little ones the love she wanted to was challenging, but she was thankful to have a team in her corner.
“I was touched by the St. Vincent team's care for my daughter and me. The nurses understood that I was vulnerable,” said Samantha. “They talked to my husband and I calmly and in ways we could understand. You could see the compassion on their faces. They clearly love kids and wanted to help.”
Evelyn eventually recovered and returned home, but the ordeal was far from over. Within a few days of her return, Samantha’s newborn son, Dakota, began having a runny nose and a cough. Despite keeping her babies separated as best as she could, constantly disinfecting the home and consistently changing clothes and washing her hands, her son contracted RSV as well. Dakota’s situation became critical when one evening his skin color turned gray, his lips blue, and he stopped breathing.
Heading back to HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital
“I picked him up, blew on him and tapped his back until he started breathing again. It was beyond scary because one minute he’d be breathing fine and the next minute he would stop,” Samantha recounted. “My husband called 911 and an ambulance rushed Dakota and I back to St. Vincent Children’s Hospital.”The team at HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital’s pediatric emergency center were ready for Dakota upon their arrival. The experts in the emergency center gave him fluids, medication to help with the fever and oxygen to ensure he was stabilized. Then, the family was once again headed to HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit, a special place where true healing for kids goes beyond prescriptions and procedures.
Treating every patient and their family with dignity and respect
“The care team was incredible and so patient with me during such a trying time. When Dakota started struggling to breathe on his own again, they shared that he would have to be connected to a ventilator to push air in and out of his lungs and that was terrifying,” said Samantha.
“But they didn’t start the procedure until it was thoroughly explained to me. We had several nurses and doctors in the room, who all knew exactly what they were doing, and they were so calm. I actually felt lucky to be surrounded by this team.”
After a total of 12 days in the hospital, Dakota was well enough to go home. Samantha credits the hospital staff with saving her son’s life. “I really do feel lucky to have been where I was. Everyone worked as a team, and they made sure Dakota was ready before sending him home. I recommend HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital to everyone.”
A reminder to everyone to protect your family against RSV
Reflecting on her family’s RSV journey, Samantha urges other parents to consider immunizations to protect against RSV. When available, RSV immunizations are offered to some pregnant mothers (to pass along protection to their babies), some infants, some small children and the elderly. When available, the immunizations can protect people from severe RSV symptoms.
“After what we went through, I urge everyone to do their research, and if it’s right for you and your family have your child get the RSV shot,” said Samantha. “If your child shows any signs of RSV, don’t wait—seek care immediately, and if you can, go to HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital. Their care is unmatched,” shared Samantha.
For parents, Samantha’s message is clear: “Being overprotective during RSV season is okay. If your kids are sick, keep them home. Consider the immunocompromised children or elderly folks that your son or daughter might infect,” shared Samantha. “RSV is serious, and I wish I had prevented Dakota from being exposed. As parents, we are our children’s protectors and advocates.”
We want to emphasize the importance of preventing RSV in babies through our partnership with Prevea Health. To help ensure your little one is protected against RSV, pregnant women and newborns can often get vaccinated to receive protective antibodies that combat the virus. To learn more about preventive RSV treatment for children and babies (including those still in the womb), consult with your OB, pediatrician or family medicine physician at Prevea Health - they can discuss available options to determine the best course of action for you and your family.
At HSHS St. Vincent Children’s Hospital, kids are a big deal. With kids being the focus of our lives, nothing is more important than their health and happiness. That’s why, with our partner Prevea Health, we built a children’s hospital within the walls of HSHS St. Vincent Hospital, right here in Green Bay. With every detail of our hospital tailored to kids, in a place close to home, you don’t have to drive far to get the best possible care for your children.