Yoshini Perumal | Published 34 minutes ago
A Durban mother is urging parents not to dismiss flu-like symptoms after her eight-year-old son died following a rapid deterioration in his health.
Carla Bowes, of Sydenham, told POST her son Liam Bowes, a Grade 2 pupil at Charles Hugo Primary School, battled flu-like symptoms for nearly two weeks before he died last Wednesday.
Liam initially developed a high fever, but his condition worsened as he began coughing, vomiting and suffering from diarrhoea.
"He wasn't eating or drinking and became extremely weak," Bowes recalled.
Concerned about his condition, she took Liam to King Dinuzulu Hospital on June 5. However, she claims he was not physically examined and was advised to seek treatment at a clinic because the hospital did not treat flu cases.
"I couldn't bear to see my child suffering like that, so I took him to a private doctor instead," she said.
Bowes said she made several visits to the doctor as Liam's condition failed to improve. During the third consultation, he was referred back to hospital for further treatment.
Liam was admitted to King Dinuzulu Hospital last Saturday. By the following day, his health had deteriorated significantly and doctors diagnosed him with pneumonia.
He was later transferred to King Edward VIII Hospital.
"Doctors told us he had fluid in his lungs and that his kidneys were failing. His urine was dark brown, almost like Coca-Cola," Bowes said.
She said Liam was placed on oxygen and his blood pressure rose dramatically. Doctors also discovered he had contracted a viral infection and ordered further tests.
"He was supposed to receive a blood transfusion, but he passed away before it could happen and before we got the test results that would have identified the virus," she said.
Liam was laid to rest on Monday.
Now grieving the loss of her son, Bowes is pleading with parents to seek urgent medical attention when children display persistent flu-like symptoms.
"If my baby had received the treatment he needed the first time we went to hospital, he would probably still be alive today," she said.
"I'm angry because we were sent from place to place while his condition got worse. Parents must not ignore the warning signs. By the time we finally got help, it was too late."
Describing Liam, Bowes said he was a cheerful and affectionate child who loved making people smile.
"He was always happy and loved everyone. He would hug elderly people and even strangers if he felt a connection with them. He brought joy wherever he went."
In a separate incident, a four-year-old boy from Verulam also died on Wednesday after reportedly displaying flu-like symptoms.
According to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), the child had been examined by a general practitioner earlier in the day and received intravenous treatment before being discharged.
RUSA spokesperson Prem Balram said the child later returned home, where his condition suddenly worsened.
"He reportedly began vomiting violently, became unresponsive and died a few minutes later," Balram said.
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