May 31st, 2008
BUG SCARE FOR BATTLING BOYS
BY GARY MITCHELL
Two brothers with a terminal illness are recovering in hospital after falling ill, apparently with the serious stomach bug E.coli.
Callum and Connor Smith, from Eyres Monsell, Leicester, were taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary, where they are now in a stable condition.
The boys, aged eight and 10 - along with their seven-year-old brother Jack- have the brain disorder ALD, which severely weakens their immune systems.
Callum, who has been left paralysed by the genetic condition, fell ill at the weekend and is recovering at the infirmary, where doctors diagnosed an infection of E.coli bacteria.
Connor fell ill during a school trip to north Walesthis week and was taken by ambulanceto Leicester.
He had similar symptoms to his brother, but doctors have not confirmed he has the bug.
Some strains of E.colican cause fatal food poisoning, but both boys are said to be over the worst.
Public health officials stressed they were not dealing with an “outbreak” of E.coli - classed as three or more cases - but were aware of a case inLeicester.
The boys’ dad, Scott, said: “Callum was taken into hospital on Saturday as he was really poorly - he is fed through a drip and was not keeping his food down.
“He looked like he was at death’s door. His eyes werepurple and he was dehydrating.”
Tests for superbug clostridium difficile were negative.
Scott said: “For the first few days, we couldn’t get through to Callum. He wasn’t waking up, but we can communicate with him now. He’s getting better.
“We’ve got to find out where they got it from. Because of Connor’s low immune system and Callum being poorly, we’re forever cleaning.”
Mum Nicola said: “It has made them very poorly, but they are over the worst, thank God.”
Tags: adrenoleukodystrophy