On March 2, Bethannie Booth, 24, came down with symptoms typical of the flu. As her symptoms deteriorated, the primary school worker called NHS 111, and she was advised to go to the hospital. Arriving at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant, Wales, medics spotted that something wasn’t right and Bethannie was admitted to the ICU (intensive care unit). Bethannie had a collapsed lung and some of her organs were failing – medics put her into a coma.
Transferred to Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London, she was put on an ecmo (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machine to help her breathe.
Bethannie had a strep A infection, which can cause flu-like symptoms that lead to sepsis.
Showing signs of recovery, Bethannie was returned to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital within a matter of weeks.
Sadly, five days later, the sepsis returned and Bethannie died while surrounded by her family.
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Bathannie’s dad, Wayne, said: “I have only one way I can explain Beth – imagine the best female has got the biggest angel wings, who would do anything for anyone.
“She was so loved – the children [in her school] loved her, our grandchildren loved her.
“They say the best get taken from us first – God needs his angels. It has ripped us all apart.”
Megan described her younger sister, Bethannie, as “too sweet for the world”.
“They can be passed on through coughs and sneezes or from a wound. In some people, the bacteria live in the body without causing symptoms or making them feel unwell.
“But they can still pass the bacteria on to others.”
A fundraiser has been set up to support Bethannie’s family with funeral costs at this devastating time. You can make a donation here.
