A “fit and active” teenager went into a toxic shock after he contracted sepsis - while trying to fight off coronavirus.
George Mitchell, 13, nearly died from multiple organ failure due to a Kawasaki-like reaction as he battled Covid-19 - just one day after first showing symptoms.
Doctors were unable to explain why the teenager had developed killer bacterial sepsis - as he had no underlying health conditions.
The youngster, of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, said he felt like he had his “soul drained out” after going through eight gruelling days in hospital.
His distraught mum Andrea, 36, prepared for the worst.
But George bravely fought off the virus and toxic sepsis, and has now been discharged to continue his recovery at his home.
“I felt like I had my soul drained out of me, it was agonising at times because I just couldn’t get up," the teen said.
“My head was pounding like hammers. It was one of the worst feelings I’ve ever experienced.
“On the fifth day I didn’t even know what was happening anymore, it was terrifying.
“I was just confused - it was a hellish nightmare.
“The NHS staff are the best thing to happen to me in my life, it could have been a different story, but they saved me.
“I feel like people aren’t taking it seriously, and we should be.
“People need to understand that this can happen to anyone.”
Andrea admitted her son’s outlook was “bleak” after seeing poor George’s health deteriorate so rapidly.
The mum said: “His outlook was bleak, the hospital staff were amazing but I thought I might not take this boy home.
“It was the most horrifying experience for a mum to go through.
“I still hear the machines beeping every night.
“It’s been a nightmare - you never expect this to happen to you.
“Those eight days felt like a lifetime of pain. I really thought I might lose my boy.
“When Covid started everyone said it would only affect old or vulnerable people - but we’re learning this isn’t true.
“Anyone can die from it, it doesn’t discriminate.”
She added: “My son’s body shut down because it was trying to fight off this virus, he wouldn’t have gone through all of that hell without Covid.”
George had told his mum on May 4 he felt unwell and she treated his fever with a couple paracetamol.
The following day, his fever continued to soar from 39.6°C to 40.4°C - and he was suddenly unable to eat or walk.
Andrea called 111, who advised her to bring him to Barnsley General Hospital.
After a second test, she was told George had contracted Covid-19 but that his blood pressure was "dangerously low".
An X-ray revealed a "fog" on his chest and as his condition escalated, George was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary so that he could be seen by a team of cardiologists.
The married mum-of-three continued: "He told me he was unwell and after taking his temperature I gave him some paracetamol.
"He was still able to walk on Monday, but by Tuesday he was lethargic and unable to walk or eat.
"I called 111 and they told me to get him to the hospital and that’s when they told us he had Coronavirus but his blood pressure was dangerously low.
"His heart and lungs weren’t working properly. They said he had toxic shock sepsis.
"They transferred him to the resuscitation ward because of his heart. They said it could stop any second.
"We weren’t allowed to follow him to Leeds, and I had to watch my scared 13-year-old son leave on his own.
"It was stressful, and frightening, and impossible to describe."
Thankfully, after managing to pump George's body full of antibiotics, he began to show signs of recovery and he was able to return home to his family last Wednesday.
George has been slowly regaining his health at home, but doctors are still confused as to why his body suddenly shut down.
They have scheduled consultations with cardiologists and rheumatologists who will be discussing his condition on Friday to try to understand more.
Andrea has criticised the government’s plan to reopen schools on June 1 saying they were playing “Russian roulette” with children’s lives.
Andrea said: “We still know so little about this virus and just how deadly it is.
“They should look into learning more about this virus before they even think about reopening schools.
“There are still high death rates. People of all ages are losing their lives.
“I’d hate for anyone to go through what we have - it’s not worth it.
“George had no underlying health conditions, but now they’re playing Russian roulette with children’s lives. It’s not acceptable.”
