County Fermanagh country music singer Lisa McHugh has told how her little girl spent a "horrendous" 10 days in hospital after contracting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

RSV is a common but highly contagious respiratory virus that affects the respiratory system, especially in young children and the elderly.

Ms McHugh said: "You can feel very helpless, which is the most terrifying feeling for a parent, not being able to address what's going on or help."

According to the Northern Ireland Public Health Service, there have been more than 1,000 cases of respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants under the age of one since September 30, 2024.

About two-thirds of the babies were hospitalized.

RSV vaccine is available pregnant woman It has been available in Northern Ireland since September last year and is available from 28 weeks into pregnancy.

In November 2024, Lisa McHugh's daughter Hallie, then four months old, came down with a cold.

Her GP told her to monitor Hallie's symptoms and if the baby was feeding well, had a wet diaper and had a normal temperature, she could care for her at home.

But Harley's condition worsened and she was eventually taken to South West Acute Hospital (SWAH). She was diagnosed with RSV.

Ms McHugh said: "It was all a blur from that moment on and I don't think I've fully processed it yet."

“She had to be tube fed and then had to be kept on oxygen because her oxygen levels were dropping below the threshold she needed to do it on her own.

"Within a few days, she really said no. It's horrible to see your child lying there, so helpless.

“It’s scary because even if you try hard, you can’t do anything for them.

"I just knew I wanted to be in the best place for her, and home wasn't the safest place," she said.

She praised the "incredible" SWAH staff who "couldn't have provided better care for her or better care for us".

"Hallie was very, very sick, but it could have been much worse," she said.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the common viruses that cause coughs and colds.

Dr Nicholas Lipscomb, consultant pediatrician at SWAH, said RSV was a seasonal infection and they saw a lot of patients between November and February every year, but it had been particularly severe this winter.

While most infants and children will not require hospitalization, he said, the younger the child, the more likely they are to need hospitalization, especially if they have trouble breathing and eating.

"For very young babies, especially premature babies, or babies who may have underlying heart problems, this can be very dangerous," he said.

"For most babies, it's just an unpleasant illness. But for those babies who are particularly at risk, it can be fatal," he said.

Ms McHugh, from Glasgow, said she was unable to have the vaccine before giving birth.

"If someone had offered me something like this at that time, knowing what I know now and what we've been through, I would have accepted it 100 percent myself," she said.

Adults aged 75-79 Vaccinations may also be given as they may be susceptible to the virus.

Harley contracted respiratory syncytial virus again four weeks after being discharged from hospital.

"Thankfully, we were better prepared this time. We knew what to look for. We knew how to treat her. Thankfully, her symptoms were not as severe," she said.

The baby spent a day in the hospital but went home for Christmas. Now six months old, she is doing well.

“Her immune system is very, very low and will probably remain so for quite some time until we get it back up again.

"I'm still very protective of her, just because I know she needs it," she said.

She urges parents to learn more about respiratory syncytial virus and not be afraid to speak up to protect your baby.

"If someone wants to visit your baby and you want them to wash their hands before touching your baby, just ask politely. Or if you have any colds or runny noses, stop visiting until you feel 100 percent better. ".

"That's your job as their parent."

• RSV starts with a stuffy or runny nose and can progress to a dry cough, fever and sometimes breathing problems

• For most children, symptoms are mild and can be treated at home with infant paracetamol or ibuprofen

• If your child is not feeding properly, has shortness of breath or has a persistently high temperature, call your GP or seek medical advice

• If your child is exhausted from breathing, call 999 - you may see the muscles under their ribs contract with each breath, or they may look pale and sweat.