Mum Terrified After Deadly Virus Nearly Took Her New Baby's Life

An Adelaide mother is warning parents about a potentially deadly virus that is on the rise.

It comes after her baby boy almost died when he contracted a disease, which has been on the rise across Australia.

Mum-of-three, Ali Tessier, rushed her seven-day-old baby to the nearby Adelaide Women’s and Children’s Hospital, reports 9 news.

But with only a minor temperature, doctors couldn’t initially pick what was wrong.

“And then an hour later he had a huge seizure, he stopped breathing, and they had to rush him up to intensive care,” Ms Tessier said.

“It was just so frightening because every time a doctor would come in I think, ‘oh my gosh, what are they going to say and am I going to take my baby home?'”

Tests later revealed he had the potentially deadly Parechovirus.

The virus had caused swelling of the brain and Louis spent six days on life support.

He is is still feeling the effects nine months later and his eyesight is still impaired.

“It’s really heartbreaking because you bring a perfectly healthy baby into the world and now we just have hope that he can learn to see,” she said.

What to look out for

Parechovirus cases are on the rise across Australia, with more than 200 hospitalisations since December last year.

Symptoms include fever, irritability and diarrhoea.

There is no vaccine or treatment for the virus.

To avoid catching the virus, health authorities recommend regular hand washing and if you have a baby, to avoid contact with people who have colds.

“When your instincts tell you something, you get your baby to the doctor or to the hospital,” Ms Tessier said.

Share your comments below

17 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 07 Sep 2022
    12:15 pm
How very scary and not something anyone should have to face dealing with.

- - mom111059 said
  - 30 Jun 2018
    11:32 pm
What a terrible experience to go through.

- - tessie said
  - 30 Jun 2018
    12:45 am
I’ve never heard of this virus before. Hopefully they can find a cure and a vaccine for it and soon.

- - Staceylee101 said
  - 21 Jun 2018
    5:20 am
I never even knew about this virus, pretty scary for anyone to contract this virus. Hopefully they can come up with an vaccination for it before more people are admitted to hospital.

- - rachel1970 said
  - 20 Jun 2018
    6:48 pm
I nearly lost my twins when they were newborn (actually they got sick before their due date, they were premmie). Was the most scared I have been. Thank God they are all well now and are turning 11 this Friday!

- - rovermum said
  - 20 Jun 2018
    12:34 pm
Ooh, we really do need to be so careful and hygienic around babies. I have never heard of this virus but can only imagine how frightening it would have been. Awareness from sites like MoM are fantastic in educating us and allowing these stories to be told and shared. It may save another baby’s life.

- - sars_angelchik said
  - 20 Jun 2018
    11:40 am
Wow very scary and the last thing you need so soon after birth.

- - mom111059 said
  - 20 Jun 2018
    9:32 am
So many times mums are made to feel like they are overprotective and overreacting. Wow this just shows if you are uncertain then head for the hospital. Being on life support would be so scary for the family. I hope the little guy makes a good recovery but it will take a long time having been so sick.

- - becstalou said
  - 20 Jun 2018
    6:50 am
Poor family I hope bub makes a full recovery.

- - mom93821 said
  - 20 Jun 2018
    6:30 am
How terrifying – these stories are always so sad.

- - jenniw said
  - 20 Jun 2018
    1:23 am
i hope this poor little boy makes a speedy recovery.

- - Miss.marwee said
  - 19 Jun 2018
    11:13 pm
Praying for a full recovery! I have never heard of this virus before! Sounds pretty scary! Thanks for the awareness and yes I agree if your instincts are telling you something is wrong than trust it don’t second guess being looked over as a paranoid Mum.

- - mom81879 said
  - 19 Jun 2018
    5:01 pm
How would you be if your brand new baby gift so sick?! No treatment and no vaccine, just terrible

- - mom90758 said
  - 19 Jun 2018
    2:28 pm
What a horrible experience. What a nasty virus!

- - mom112217 said
  - 19 Jun 2018
    1:43 pm
Hoping the baby has a full recovery.

- - Cookfromscratchmum said
  - 19 Jun 2018
    12:32 pm
Omg very scary

- - mom206279 said
  - 19 Jun 2018
    12:07 pm
Very scary!