Florida child who contracted RSV fighting for his life, family says | FOX 35 Orlando

Florida child who contracted RSV fighting for his life, family says

A Melbourne, Florida mother is spreading awareness about the dangers of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) as her son fights for his life in the ICU.

Amberlie Reinertsen’s son, Mason, is on a ventilator right now and is going on 10 days in critical care at Arnold Palmer after coming down with the respiratory sickness.

Doctors report spike in RSV at Central Florida hospitals 

What we know:

Twelve-year-old Mason Reinertsen, who has severe special needs, has been in the ICU at Arnold Palmer Hospital for ten days due to a severe case of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). 

His mother, Amberlie Reinertsen, says Mason has had lung complications since birth but has never been this sick before. Doctors report that Central Florida hospitals are seeing a spike in RSV cases, which can be life-threatening for infants, seniors, and those with underlying health conditions.

 She started a GoFundMe recently to help with expenses since they’re’ traveling daily from the Space Coast to be with her son at the hospital.

What we don't know:

Mason’s prognosis remains uncertain as his mother continues to hope he will recover and return home soon. It is unclear how long he will remain on a ventilator or in critical care. Additionally, while doctors stress prevention measures like handwashing and staying home when sick, the long-term impact of this RSV spike on local hospitals and vulnerable populations remains to be seen.

What they're saying:

FOX 35’s Esther Bower met Mason’s mother virtually at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando. She showed us around her son’s hospital room, which has become their new home.

"We are literally day 10 in the ICU dealing with this, life or death," said the mother.

Mason had health and lung complications since he was born, but he'd never been this sick before. 

"Flu and RSV is not talked about enough. Something as little as a cold or a fever to a healthy child is life-threatening to my child," she said. "It’s life-threatening for cystic fibrosis patients, to newborns."

RSV is a common respiratory virus that infects the nose, throat, and lungs. It’s extremely dangerous for babies, seniors and anyone with underlying conditions, and doctors are seeing a spike of cases in Central Florida.

"When it all comes together like this, we definitely feel the pressure," said Dr. Jayde George, who practices family medicine with Health First in Brevard County.

Dr. George says hospitals are swamped, so it’s important to take steps to stay healthy.

"It’s really the handwashing, the surface cleaning, you know if you’re sick stay home," said the doctor.

Amberlie hopes her son will go home soon and wants everyone to take RSV more seriously to help protect others.

"Any sickness that is going around, especially right now, there’s Flu, COVID, RSV – any little sickness is life-threatening to him," the mother concluded.

Why you should care:

RSV is surging in Central Florida, and its effects extend beyond just those infected — it places a strain on healthcare facilities and can be deadly for high-risk individuals. 

Dr. George says there are RSV vaccines for seniors and babies under eight months.  If you come down with RSV, keep up with your fluids and keep a close watch if your symptoms get worse.

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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by Amberlie Reinertsen, Dr. Jayde George with Health First in Brevard County

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