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Teen Beth dies at Hull Royal Infirmary after contracting swine flu
Saturday, February 06, 2010, 06:30
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A MUCH-LOVED teenager died after being struck down with swine flu.
Beth Withill, 18, died at Hull Royal Infirmary after fighting for her life for eight weeks.
The Hull College student had cystic fibrosis ? a genetic disease that affects the lungs.
After catching swine flu she developed pneumonia, which left her body unable to cope.
Beth was initially admitted to Castle Hill Hospital on December 6 and tested positive for swine flu ? 10 days before she was due to be immunised against it.
Beth's devastated mother Nicola Withill, 38, of Clarendon Street, city centre, said: "If she had not had swine flu she may not have developed the pneumonia and may still be with us now.
"Because she had cystic fibrosis she was a magnet for infections and was worried about getting it."
Beth was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of five and told she would only live until her teens.
However, a lung transplant at the age of 15 gave Beth a new lease of life, with doctors telling her she may live for another 15 years.
But the swine flu ? a respiratory infection ? exploited her already weakened immune system and attacked her major organs.
When swine flu gets into the lungs it can lead to pneumonia.
The flu also causes secondary infections in the body, which can lead to organ failure and death.
Beth's family said life will never be the same without her.
Ms Withill, who also has a son, Benjamin, 15, said: "She was a lovely girl, she was good looking, fun to be with, always smiling, very happy go lucky.
"She was bubbly, cheerful, and although she was suffering she would almost forget about it and got on with life.
"She had so many friends. She was very popular."
Despite being dependant on oxygen until her transplant, and then on anti-rejection tablets afterwards, Beth never complained about her condition.
Beth's step-father, Steven Moss, 37, said: "She was a fighter, she was always strong, she never ever complained about her illness.
"Beth got to know about her illness as she got older. She had to keep going into hospital when she had problems breathing.
"She understood it, but she never complained. She never got upset, she just got on with it."
Beth died after being taken off her ventilator on January 27, surrounded by her family.
Ms Withall said: "We had a meeting with the doctors and they said if she does not improve in another 24 hours we will have to let her go.
"We got all the family together. I got in bed with her and held her and we played her favourite song and she just slipped away peacefully. There was no suffering."
Beth's funeral will take place on Monday, February 8 at Chanterlands Avenue North Crematorium at 11.30am.
All Beth's friends are welcome and are requested to wear bright clothes. The family has requested no flowers, but donations can be given at the service, which will be given to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
Saturday, February 06, 2010, 06:30
7 readers have commented on this story.
Click here to read their views.
A MUCH-LOVED teenager died after being struck down with swine flu.
Beth Withill, 18, died at Hull Royal Infirmary after fighting for her life for eight weeks.
The Hull College student had cystic fibrosis ? a genetic disease that affects the lungs.
After catching swine flu she developed pneumonia, which left her body unable to cope.
Beth was initially admitted to Castle Hill Hospital on December 6 and tested positive for swine flu ? 10 days before she was due to be immunised against it.
Beth's devastated mother Nicola Withill, 38, of Clarendon Street, city centre, said: "If she had not had swine flu she may not have developed the pneumonia and may still be with us now.
"Because she had cystic fibrosis she was a magnet for infections and was worried about getting it."
Beth was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of five and told she would only live until her teens.
However, a lung transplant at the age of 15 gave Beth a new lease of life, with doctors telling her she may live for another 15 years.
But the swine flu ? a respiratory infection ? exploited her already weakened immune system and attacked her major organs.
When swine flu gets into the lungs it can lead to pneumonia.
The flu also causes secondary infections in the body, which can lead to organ failure and death.
Beth's family said life will never be the same without her.
Ms Withill, who also has a son, Benjamin, 15, said: "She was a lovely girl, she was good looking, fun to be with, always smiling, very happy go lucky.
"She was bubbly, cheerful, and although she was suffering she would almost forget about it and got on with life.
"She had so many friends. She was very popular."
Despite being dependant on oxygen until her transplant, and then on anti-rejection tablets afterwards, Beth never complained about her condition.
Beth's step-father, Steven Moss, 37, said: "She was a fighter, she was always strong, she never ever complained about her illness.
"Beth got to know about her illness as she got older. She had to keep going into hospital when she had problems breathing.
"She understood it, but she never complained. She never got upset, she just got on with it."
Beth died after being taken off her ventilator on January 27, surrounded by her family.
Ms Withall said: "We had a meeting with the doctors and they said if she does not improve in another 24 hours we will have to let her go.
"We got all the family together. I got in bed with her and held her and we played her favourite song and she just slipped away peacefully. There was no suffering."
Beth's funeral will take place on Monday, February 8 at Chanterlands Avenue North Crematorium at 11.30am.
All Beth's friends are welcome and are requested to wear bright clothes. The family has requested no flowers, but donations can be given at the service, which will be given to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
