COUNTRY star Lisa McHugh has opened up about a "heartbreaking few days in hospital" as her baby daughter, Hallie, battles Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) at South West Acute Hospital (SWAH). 

"Hallie has had the toughest and most heartbreaking few days in hospital," Mrs. McHugh posted on Facebook. "I can’t describe how horrendous it has been to watch her so weak and in so much pain and being unable to take that pain away. 

"She is still very sick in hospital but she’s getting amazing care from the nurses and doctors in SWAH. We just hope she starts to get some relief and turns a corner soon." 

The singer recalled her own fears of RSV and bronchiolitis when she first became a mother to her son, Milo.  

"When I became a first time mum I always had a fear of RSV and Bronchiolitis," she said. "I was very conscious of the environment Milo was ever in or around, but also as a first time mum, you sometimes can’t help but have the feeling that you’re over reacting or being over paranoid whether you just battle that internal voice or you’re made to feel that way by others.
 
"I know I chose to avoid situations as much as I could that I wasn’t comfortable having Milo around, instead of just being upfront and saying the real reason! I don’t want to have my child or around people who 'just have a sniffle or head cold' or who are 'over the worst of it' because it definitely won't be that way for a baby.  

"Milo was one of the lucky ones who didn’t catch RSV. But sometimes no matter how hard you try, it unfortunately just happens and that’s the case for poor Hallie." 

In the post, which was posted on World Premature Day (Yesterday), Mrs. McHugh called attention to both the challenges faced by premature babies and the risks posed by illnesses like RSV. 

She continued: "With (Sunday) being World Premature Day and our baby girl not only a premature baby, but also the way she is right now, I really felt like it was so important to raise awareness about both.

"After the last few days I can safely say I will not be afraid to speak up and protect my babies in future if we’re ever in the position instead of protecting someone else’s feelings. 

"For anyone who is feeling, or has felt the same as I did, please don’t, you have every right to speak up to protect your baby from illness. Do whatever you can because I really wouldn’t wish it on any baby, child or parent to go through after how rough the last few days have been. 

"They can’t speak up for themselves, it’s our job as their parents to do it for them."