UK - Fighting for her life: a 9 year old girl on life support after being struck down with swine flu

[tetano]

A NINE-YEAR-OLD girl is fighting for her life in hospital suffering from swine flu.
Chantelle McAdam, of Chepstow Road, Grange Park, is hooked up to a life support machine at Manchester Royal Infirmary after being admitted with breathing difficulties.

The deadly disease has claimed five lives in the North West in recent days and Chantelle's devastated family are terrified over the youngster's health problems.

Mum Emma Gibson, 28, said her daughter, who suffers from chronic asthma and regularly spends time in hospital, dropped out of consciousness while receiving treatment a week ago.

She added: "The last thing she said to me before they sedated her was 'don't leave me mummy', but I had to go to get my other daughter, I regret that now.

"It has been an absolute rollercoaster, I can't think straight at all, one minute her temperature is soaring and the next minute doctors say she is getting stronger.

<a href="http://s190.photobucket.com/albums/z27/prandot/?action=view&amp;current=TH1_1612201021Chantelle_M cAdam.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z27/prandot/TH1_1612201021Chantelle_McAdam.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Swine-flu-girl39s-fight-for.6663221.jp

[Pathfinder]

UK - Fighting for her life: a 9 year old girl on life support in hospital after being struck down with swine flu

Fighting for her life: Girl, 9, is latest victim of swine flu epidemic sweeping Britain

Chantelle McAdam, seen here with her older sister Melanie and father Billy McAdam. She has been unconscious for a week as her body battles the swine flu virus


Excerpt:

'She has been unconscious for more than a week now and doctors are weaning her off the ventilator so I am hoping she may be able to breathe unaided in the next few days.

'I can't believe it has come to this, I am used to seeing Chantelle in hospital because we take her to Blackpool for oxygen but I can't bear to see her like this.'


Chantelle was being treated for severe asthma at Blackpool Victoria Hospital but was transferred to Manchester when her condition deteriorated. She was sedated and moved to intensive care, where she was diagnosed with H1N1 influenza, also known as swine flu.


Miss Gibson said: 'It's so hard because she is a fighter, even though she often has difficulty breathing she plays sport and takes part in athletics.

'She is full of life and was really looking forward to Christmas which we have had to put on hold for now.

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1339460/Swine-flu-Girl-9-latest-victim-epidemic-sweeping-Britain.html?ITO=1490