Latest news with #HemolyticUremicSyndrome
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Toddler, 2, left fighting for life after holiday swim as she was infected with THREE strains of deadly bacteria
Elizabeth is now on dialysis and has been medically paralysed to give her the best shot at recovery 'NIGHTMARE' Toddler, 2, left fighting for life after holiday swim as she was infected with THREE strains of deadly bacteria Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LITTLE Elizabeth Faircloth was left fighting for her life after contracting three strains of deadly E. coli. Doctors now fear the two-year-old may suffer permanent brain or kidney damage after the infection ravaged her tiny body. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Elizabeth Faircloth (pictured), 2, was left fighting for her life after she contracted three strains of E. coli Credit: GoFundMe 2 Elizabeth's family shared heartbreaking photos of their daughter hooked up to breathing tubes Credit: GoFundMe "It blows our minds because we've never even heard of anything like this ever happening," Suzanne Faircloth, the girl's mum, said. Elizabeth had been swimming and boating at Oklahoma's Keystone Lake with her family in early June when she started feeling unwell. At first, doctors thought it was strep throat and gave her antibiotics. But the meds only aggravated the infection, the mum told KOTV. Some time later, the family were told Elizabeth had tested positive for three different strains of E. coli bacteria. This led to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) - a rare life-threatening complication from E. coli. It can cause severe kidney failure, liver damage, and brain injury. "It's a nightmare," Suzanne said. "And it happened so fast, within like a week, we're here." The toddler is now on dialysis and has been medically paralysed to give her the best shot at recovery, according to her aunt Melissa Lynne. This means doctors have used drugs to temporarily stop her muscles from moving, helping her body rest while she fights the infection. Melissa wrote in a social media post last week that Elizabeth's kidneys have been 'most severely' impacted. Food Standards Agency explains E Coli 'Although the prognosis is hopeful, it will be a very long battle to get her well again, and it's uncertain if she will ever recover 100 per cent or if there will be permanent kidney and/or brain damage," she added. Elizabeth is also now battling an infection in her lungs, but doctors can't give her antibiotics as it could worsen her condition, the family said in a Facebook post on Monday. "They are working night and day, the staff is amazing, just to keep her stable,' Suzanne added. 'It kind of feels like you're drowning and you get brief moments of air just enough to keep you alive, but there's no end in sight." The family have launched a GoFundMe in Elizabeth's name, which has so far raised $8,248 (£6.6K) of its $10K goal (£8K). What are the symptoms of an E. coli infection? Escherichia coli O157, sometimes called STEC (Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli), is a bacterial infection that can cause severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhoea and kidney failure. The NHS lists the symptoms as: Diarrhoea Stomach cramps Occasionally fever About half of people with the infection will have bloody diarrhoea. People usually notice symptoms three to four days after they' ve been infected. But symptoms can start any time between one and 14 days afterwards. These symptoms can last up to two weeks. A small number of people with E. coli O157 infection go on to develop a serious condition called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include: Peeing less Tiredness Swelling Bruising This can sometimes lead to kidney failure and death, although this is rare. The risk of HUS is highest in children aged under five years. Some people become infected but don't develop symptoms. Speak to your GP if you or your child has diarrhoea and: It's particularly frequent or severe It lasts for more than seven days A severe or continuous stomach ache Weight loss Have passed a large amount of very watery diarrhoea Have signs of dehydration – including drowsiness, peeing less than usual, and feeling lightheaded or dizzy If you or your child has bloody diarrhoea contact your GP practice and ask for an urgent appointment or call NHS 111 '[We] just can't imagine another child fighting for their life or parents living through this hell, when we could have warned families,' they wrote. 'Stay vigilant parents and get your kids in early if symptoms arise after a lake day.' 'The faster you get your kids in, the better the odds.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'She wants her life back' - south Essex mum renews daughter's kidney donor plea
Plea - Maya Solecki, 15, is in desperate need of a new kidney (Image: Maria Solecki) THE mum of a Benfleet teenager in desperate need of a new kidney has renewed her plea for potential donors after a match was disqualified 'at the last minute'. Maria Solecki is appealing for healthy residents under 55 to come forward if they would be willing to be tested for compatibility with her 15-year-old daughter Maya. Following a previous Echo story in March, more than 20 residents volunteered to be potential kidney donors. Sadly, none were a match for Maya. 'It's tough and it's debilitating,' said Maria. Support - A huge number of residents came forward following Maria's appeal in March (Image: Maria Solecki) 'We found out while we were in hospital last week that the person we thought was an excellent match donor actually had an undiscovered illness which disqualified them at the last minute. We're now on WhatsApp! Join our new channel at to get all the latest breaking news and exclusive stories delivered straight to your phone. 'She took it really hard because she'd had that taste of hope and could see the finish line.' Maya was a healthy and active teenager before receiving a sudden diagnosis of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome in January 2024 - the rare disorder damages blood vessels and causes serious harm to patients' vital organs, including the kidneys. Exhausting - Rounds of dialysis are taking their toll on Maya (Image: Maria Solecki)In the wake of the Echo's previous story earlier this year, Maya's doctors reportedly said they had never seen so much interest from the public. The year 11 pupil is currently in the midst of her GCSEs, and is fitting in rounds of dialysis around her mock exams - something her mum describes as taking a huge toll on the determined teen. 'She just so desperately wants to get back to living a normal life,' said Maria. Close - Maria has been overwhelmed by the support for her daughter (Image: Maria Solecki) 'Her actual exams start next week and even though she missed most of year ten she is managing to sit five GCSEs and has worked so hard to keep up with her education. 'Dialysis is not forever, it's hard on the body and takes time off your actual lifespan.' As part of her plea for potential and willing donors, Maria has stressed even if someone is not a match for her daughter, they could still be a life-saver for someone else. 'As of April, there's 145 children on the kidney wait list and a donor could be a match for anyone of those patients,' she said. If you are interested in donating to Maya, and are healthy, under 55,with a BMI under 30, email
