Latest news with #KOTV
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Toddler fighting for life after swim left her infected with deadly bacteria
A toddler has been left fighting for her life after contracting a deadly condition while swimming in a lake with her family during a day out as doctors fight tirelessly to keep her alive A two-year-old girl has been left in a critical condition after catching three dangerous strains of E. coli following a family day out at a lake. Little Elizabeth Faircloth became seriously ill just days after swimming and boating at Keystone Lake in Oklahoma, US, in early June. What began as a fun day in the sun quickly turned into a medical emergency. Doctors initially believed the toddler had strep throat and prescribed antibiotics - but the medication only worsened her condition, her heartbroken mum Suzanne Faircloth told US outlet KOTV. 'It blows our minds because we've never even heard of anything like this ever happening,' Suzanne said. READ MORE: Man, 55, diagnosed with dementia after doctor noticed one sign before diagnosis Further tests confirmed the devastating diagnosis. Elizabeth had contracted not one but three different strains of E. coli bacteria. The infection triggered Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a rare and potentially fatal complication that can cause kidney failure, brain injury and liver damage. 'It's a nightmare,' Suzanne said. 'And it happened so fast, within like a week, we're here.' Doctors have since placed Elizabeth on dialysis and medically paralysed her to give her fragile body the best possible chance of recovery. The paralysis is a temporary state induced by medication to help reduce strain on her organs. Her aunt, Melissa Lynne, has been sharing updates online, revealing that her kidneys have been the most severely impacted. 'Although the prognosis is hopeful, it will be a very long battle to get her well again,' Melissa said. 'It's uncertain if she will ever recover 100 percent, or if there will be permanent kidney and/or brain damage.' To make matters worse, Elizabeth has also developed a lung infection, but her care team are unable to treat it with antibiotics over fears it could worsen her already fragile state. 'They are working night and day, the staff is amazing, just to keep her stable,' her mum said. '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 to help with medical expenses, raising more than $8,000 (£6.6k) of their $10,000 (£8k) target so far. In a heartfelt message, they urged other parents to be aware of the symptoms and act fast if their children fall ill after swimming in open water. '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.'
Scottish Sun
a day 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.'
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Health
- Miami Herald
2-year-old in coma after E. coli infection from Oklahoma lake. ‘Blows our minds'
A 2-year-old girl contracted E. coli at an Oklahoma lake and is now fighting for her life as complications from the infection takes its toll on her body, her family says. 'It's a nightmare, and it happened so fast — within like a week, we're here,' said Suzanne Faircloth, the mother of Elisabeth Faircloth, who became ill after swimming in Keystone Lake in early June, KOTV reported. According to a GoFundMe, Elisabeth is battling kidney failure and is 'fighting every day to stay with us.' Elisabeth's sister, Grayson Faircloth, said the virus has been attacking other organs as well, including her liver. Melissa Lynne, Elisabeth's aunt, said in a Facebook post her niece was diagnosed with Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome and is fighting three different strains of E. coli. 'She is currently on dialysis and has been medically paralyzed in order to give her little body the best chance at conquering this thing,' Lynne said. '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% or if there will be permanent kidney and/or brain damage.' The Mayo Clinic says Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome, also called HUS, can cause blood clots throughout the body 'when small blood vessels become damaged and inflamed.' Young children are most susceptible to HUS, and certain E. coli strains are often the cause. In a June 17 update, Kelly Faircloth said Elisabeth was now awake, but the infection had begun attacking her lungs. 'It blows our minds, because we've never even heard of anything like this ever happening,' Elisabeth's mother told KOTV. 'We've heard of E. coli — but usually in hamburgers.' Multiple waterways in Oklahoma were reported to have elevated levels of E. coli when water samples were collected May 23, according to the Grand River Dam Authority. Those waterways did not include Keystone Lake, located about a 25-mile drive northwest from Tulsa, but the River Parks Authority announced June 10 that Zink Lake would be closed 'due to unsafe water conditions from high Keystone Dam releases.' Children under 5 are among the groups of people most likely to be infected with E. coli, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most E. coli bacteria are harmless, the CDC says, but others cause sickness and the risk of HUS.
