A "happy and healthy" toddler suddenly died after developing a "slight cough". Two-year-old Jacob Murphy tragically died in 2020 after contracting an Adenovirus.
The Liverpool Echo reports that Jacob was born back in 2017 and was 23 weeks premature. Following his birth, the tot, from St Helens, spent five months in hospital.
His mother, Chelsea, says her son recovered and had gone on to lead a "happy, healthy, and normal life". That was until 2019, when the toddler started to develop a "slight cough".
At the time, Chelsea says she thought he was just unwell before he was suddenly rushed into hospital. She said: "He was just a little poorly but it was not anything major and then in January 2020, he was taken into hospital and transferred to Alder Hey where they told us he had this virus.
"He kept fighting as best he could but he passed away after three weeks. The virus came out of the blue and he was a happy boy with the biggest smile and nothing ever got in his way. He was such a bright and beautiful son."
Due to Jacob being born prematurely, his lungs had not developed properly and doctors warned that he would have respiratory problems in the future.
He caught Adenoviruses, which are a group of viruses that typically cause respiratory illnesses, such as a common cold. However, it can become a life-threatening concern for young infants and those with weakened immune systems.
Chelsea added: "We don't know how he got it and it has been hard we take every day as it comes. It is the anniversary of his death in two weeks but his birthdays are a lot harder, it's so difficult when you realise that he is not here to celebrate it. He went through so much and now he is not here. I miss him every day."
Following her son's death, Chelsea is now raising money for Alder Hey Children’s Bereavement Centre, in honour of his life.
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