Dylan Dreyer Opens Up About Terrifying RSV Scare That Sent Her Sons to the ER: ‘You Feel So Helpless’

The Today Show star details the harrowing experience of seeing her little ones struggle to breathe.

Dylan Dreyer is breathing a sigh of relief after a terrifying RSV scare sent two of her three sons to the emergency room.

Speaking exclusively with TH, the Today co-host, 43, shared how her youngest children—Russell “Rusty” James, 13 months, and Oliver George, 5—battled the respiratory virus, with one even requiring an inhaler to help open his lungs.

Their ordeal started the Thursday before Halloween when Oliver had an unusual moment at swim class.

“He kind of jumped off the side and inhaled a lot of water,” Dreyer recalled.

At first, she thought nothing of it, but by that night, she noticed something strange—Oliver’s breathing sounded off.

After a frantic online search about secondary drowning, Dreyer monitored him closely.

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The next morning, Oliver seemed fine—until the night took a turn for the worse.

“He got this really bad cough and a 103-degree fever,” she said.

A Parent’s Worst Fear: The ER Visit

Still believing his symptoms might be linked to the pool incident, Dreyer and her husband, Brian Fichera, made the difficult decision to take Oliver to the emergency room.

Doctors ran a full panel of tests—everything, as Dreyer described it—and the results stunned her: Oliver tested positive for RSV.

“I wasn’t sure I would’ve brought him in if it wasn’t for the swim class scare,” she admitted.

But ultimately, she was glad she did.

“He was breathing weird and struggling a little bit.“

The virus quickly turned into an ear infection for Oliver, but before the couple could catch their breath, they knew their youngest, Rusty, was likely next.

A Fragile Situation: RSV Hits Baby Rusty

As a former preemie, Rusty already had lung concerns, making the situation even scarier.

“I tried to keep Ollie away from the other two,” Dreyer said, explaining that she and her husband took turns sleeping beside Oliver, listening to every breath.

But their efforts weren’t enough—soon, Rusty developed a wheezing sound with every exhale and spiked a 102-degree fever.

“With him, it was different.  He seemed like he was struggling to breathe,” Dreyer said.

Brian rushed him to the ER, where doctors confirmed the worst: Rusty also had RSV.

He was sent home, only to return days later when his condition worsened.

This time, doctors prescribed an inhaler to help open his airways.

But when it didn’t seem to work, Dreyer panicked—until a doctor reassured her that the treatment’s ineffectiveness meant that his lungs were fine and it was simply the virus running its course.

The Exhaustion of Fighting RSV as a Family

With all three boys sharing a room in their New York City apartment, sleep became impossible.

“One kid coughing wakes up another kid,” Dreyer said.

“Everybody was awake, nobody was sleeping. “

She admitted feeling powerless, explaining, “Because it’s a virus, there’s not much you can do.

 You just have to go through the motions for a few days, and it’s so sad.

 You just feel so bad for them, and it just feels so helpless. “

Lessons from the Scare: What Every Parent Should Know

Throughout the ordeal, Dreyer clung to the medical advice she was given:

Watch for lips turning blue
Check for rib pulling (signs of labored breathing)
Use steam showers to ease congestion
Keep fevers down with Motrin
Hydration is key

She confessed that one of the strangest comforts was when both boys developed ear infections.

“It was almost like I was glad they got them,” she admitted, knowing that at least antibiotics would help them feel better faster.

Luckily, after days of uncertainty and exhaustion, Oliver returned to school “happy as can be.“

A Message to Fellow Parents: ‘Trust Your Instincts’

Dreyer is now encouraging other parents to trust their gut.

“You know your child better than anyone,” she said.

“If they seem off—if they’re just staring off into space, go to the doctor.

 Go to the ER if it’s the middle of the night.“

And as for the exhaustion? Dreyer offers words of encouragement.

“We’re all in this together,” she said.

“There’s going to be sleepless nights.

 You’ll be up listening to the baby monitor, watching their every breath.

 Just keep them comfortable, and know—this too shall pass. “

Now that her boys are healthy again, Dreyer is grateful for the lessons learned—and, most importantly, for the fact that this terrifying chapter is finally behind them.