“X-Files” actor David Duchovny recalls nearly losing his daughter during a childhood battle with the RSV virus, while opening up on how it affected their relationship.
“When my daughter West was 9 months old, she got RSV, which kind of was in the news again a couple years ago,” he said.
The virus mainly affects the lungs and causes breathing issues in those impacted. In infants especially, RSV can have detrimental outcomes.
“I'd never heard of it until my daughter got it, and it’s very dangerous for infants, and she went into the hospital and she had, nobody knew what it was. They thought maybe she had meningitis. She was non-responsive.”
What he thought was a common cold, turned out to be much more severe, as the Californication actor remembered the treatment measures the hospital took at the time to save his daughter’s life.
“They gave her a spinal tap. It was really horrifying and this was her first cold, if you can remember as a parent, that first cold,”
The 63-year-old found himself in an unimaginable situation in having to picture what life would potentially be like if he lost his daughter.
“This was truly a nightmare because we really thought we could lose her and I was working on the X-Files at the time … I would go and visit after work for a few hours and then I'd go home and I remember being in the shower and just thinking, I started to try to acclimate myself to a world without her.”
Ms. Duchovny, now 25 years old, had a successful recovery, but Mr. Duchovny admits to struggling in moving past the trauma. Had something happen to her, he realized he would “not get over it” and life would continue with “no meaning or joy.”
“I would go on, but I'd be a shell of something and West was fine. She was fine and I realized as a father, I had troubles shortly after that. I don’t know if the word is reattaching, but accepting her back in. I was so terrified.”
Ms. Duchovny has since followed in her father’s footsteps and became an actress herself. In 2018, she landed a role alongside her dad in The X-Files.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms and in most cases people experience a week or two recovery. The virus can be extremely dangerous however, in infants or older adults and in severe cases require hospitalization.RSV can lead to more severe infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, and patients may need to be hospitalized if they are having trouble breathing or are dehydrated. Medication, oxygen, IV fluids, or intubation with mechanical ventilation are just some of the treatment options.
Overall, it is recommended to practice good hygiene and remain digilent of staying away from others who are at risk if you are sick.
